US5667464A - Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise - Google Patents

Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5667464A
US5667464A US08/401,707 US40170795A US5667464A US 5667464 A US5667464 A US 5667464A US 40170795 A US40170795 A US 40170795A US 5667464 A US5667464 A US 5667464A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
arm
hinge
primary
handle
weight
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/401,707
Inventor
Roy Simonson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cybex International Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=23568173&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US5667464(A) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US08/401,707 priority Critical patent/US5667464A/en
Assigned to LUMEX, INC. (NEW YORK) reassignment LUMEX, INC. (NEW YORK) ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SIMONSON, ROY
Priority to EP96907086A priority patent/EP0956105A4/en
Priority to PCT/US1996/002373 priority patent/WO1996026765A1/en
Assigned to CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LUMEX, INC.
Assigned to CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE Assignors: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Publication of US5667464A publication Critical patent/US5667464A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to HILCO CAPITAL LLP reassignment HILCO CAPITAL LLP SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Assigned to CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., THE reassignment CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., THE NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Assignors: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Assigned to CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Assignors: HILCO CAPITAL, LP
Assigned to CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/1245Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint
    • A63B23/1254Rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, e.g. butterfly-type exercises
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/06User-manipulated weights
    • A63B21/062User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
    • A63B21/0626User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means
    • A63B21/0628User-manipulated weights including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces with substantially vertical guiding means for vertical array of weights
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4027Specific exercise interfaces
    • A63B21/4033Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
    • A63B21/4035Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by hand
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4041Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
    • A63B21/4047Pivoting movement
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/03516For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
    • A63B23/03525Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/1209Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/06User-manipulated weights
    • A63B21/0615User-manipulated weights pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2208/00Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
    • A63B2208/02Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
    • A63B2208/0228Sitting on the buttocks
    • A63B2208/0233Sitting on the buttocks in 90/90 position, like on a chair
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/1245Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/1245Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint
    • A63B23/1263Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S482/00Exercise devices
    • Y10S482/908Adjustable

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of exercise and physical rehabilitation equipment: in particular, to an apparatus and method for exercising the upper torso.
  • One such exercise is known as a shoulder press.
  • An exerciser sits upright on a seat and grasps a barbell at shoulder level. The exerciser pushes the barbell upward, extending his arms, and then lowers the barbell down. This exercise can be dangerous as the exerciser may drop the barbell. Further, the exerciser should have a partner to spot him in case he fails to lift the weight.
  • the resistance provided by gravity is constant while the strength of the muscles varies over the range of motion. Consequently, the muscles are not fully loaded at each point over the range of motion.
  • the hands seek to follow a curved path inward as the weight is moved upward. This path cannot be followed when using a barbell because the hands are maintained at a fixed distance. Further, the user's head must be tilted back or forward during the lower portion of the stroke to clear the barbell.
  • a lever is hinged to a frame by a pivot behind the user.
  • a weight resistance such as a weight plate or a weight stack, is operably engaged to the lever to resist the movement of the user's hands.
  • the user's hands cannot move laterally during the exercise stroke, and the user cannot choose the path taken by his hands.
  • an exercise machine in which levers are rotatably mounted to a frame above the seated user. Handles are mounted to the levers. Resistance to handle movement is provided by weight plates mounted to the levers.
  • the hinges for the levers are disposed at an angle of 5° with respect to a central vertical midplane, such that the user must move his hands in defined arcs in particular diverging planes as he presses upward longitudinally on the handles.
  • This apparatus forces the user's hands to follow a preset rate of convergence and divergence during the exercise stroke, regardless of the user's anatomy. This apparatus does not permit the user to select his own path of motion for the press exercise. Rather, the motion is dictated by the angle of the hinges.
  • a shoulder exercise apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,856.
  • a bench is provided for the user to exercise in a prone or supine position.
  • a shaft extends from a ball and socket joint mounted to the side of the bench, and a handle is slidably mounted to the shaft.
  • Frictional resistance is provided both at the ball and socket joint and at the sliding connection between the handle and the shaft. The user exercises by moving the handle against one or both of these resistances.
  • this machine While providing multiple paths of motion through the range of the ball and socket joint, this machine provides for exercising only one arm at a time, cannot coordinate the motion of two arms, and has the disadvantages associated with frictional resistance such as changing resistance due to heat buildup, and wear. Further, this machine only provides concentric action (i.e., where the muscles contract against a load). No eccentric action (i.e., where muscles extend under a load) is possible with this machine.
  • an apparatus for performing a shoulder press to exercise the muscles of a user.
  • a primary hinge is mounted to a frame.
  • a secondary hinge is mounted to the primary hinge.
  • An arm is mounted to the secondary hinge.
  • a handle is mounted to the arm distal to the secondary hinge. The handle is adapted to be grasped and displaced by the user.
  • a resistance means such as a weight is attached to the arm at a point offset laterally outward from the machine. Due to the orientation of the two hinges, the handle may be displaced in both a longitudinal direction (upward) and a lateral direction (outward to the sides), as selected by the user. Due to the offset of the resistance means, combined with the orientation of the two hinges, displacement is resisted in both the lateral and longitudinal directions.
  • the resistance means may include a post attached to the arm for mounting free weight plates.
  • a second handle, arm and secondary hinge may be provided for the other hand so that the user may exercise both halves of his body.
  • the arms may be connected such that both handles move the same longitudinal and/or lateral distance.
  • a method for performing a shoulder press exercise with an apparatus having an arm pivotally mounted to a frame.
  • a user loads a weight plate on a post mounted to the arm and sits on a user support.
  • the user grasps a handle mounted to the arm and pushes the handle upward longitudinally from the level of his shoulders, moving the handle longitudinally and laterally as he so chooses.
  • the user overcomes resistance to the lateral movement of the handle and resistance to the longitudinal movement of the handle.
  • the user may grasp a second handle with his other hand to exercise both halves of his body.
  • the handles may be connected such that both handles move the same longitudinal and/or lateral distance.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoulder press exercise machine of the present invention in a rest position, with the backrest partially cut away;
  • FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the hinge portion of the exercise machine of FIG. 1, with the arms partially cut away;
  • FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic views of hinge mechanisms for use in the exercise machine of FIG. 1, in a plane IA--IA shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed, in the rest position;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed and arms raised;
  • FIG. 6 is plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed;
  • FIG. 7 is front elevation view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed, in the rest position;
  • FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having hinge plates
  • FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a slider link
  • FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a cam link
  • FIG. 11 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having variable length links with resistance;
  • FIG. 12 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a spring pulley linkage
  • FIG. 13A is a front elevational view of a weight stack of an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 13B is a side elevational view of the weight stack of FIG. 13A;
  • FIG. 14 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having incrementally adjustable handle resistance;
  • FIG. 14A is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having discrete degrees of resistance;
  • FIG. 15 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having incrementally adjustable handle resistance
  • FIG. 15A is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having discrete levels of resistance.
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism of an embodiment of the invention having torsion springs to resist lateral movement;
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a pivoting handgrip;
  • FIG. 18 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having large gears
  • FIG. 19 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a rack and pinion link;
  • FIG. 20 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a belt and pulley link;
  • FIG. 21 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having outward sliding hand grips;
  • FIG. 21A is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of FIG. 21;
  • FIG. 21B is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
  • FIG. 21C is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
  • FIG. 21D is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism
  • FIG. 21E is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism
  • FIG. 21F is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism
  • FIG. 22 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having inward sliding hand grips;
  • FIG. 22A is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of FIG. 22;
  • FIG. 22B is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
  • FIG. 22C is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
  • FIG. 22D is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism
  • FIG. 22E is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism
  • FIG. 22F is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism
  • FIG. 23 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having sliding handles with cable resistance;
  • FIG. 23A is a partial detail perspective view of an arm and handle of the machine of FIG. 23;
  • FIG. 24 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a pivoting bar linkage
  • FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism of an embodiment of the invention having an adjustable arm angle
  • FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a self-aligning pulley for use with an exercise machine, including the machine of FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the pulley of FIG. 26, taken through section XXVII--XXVII;
  • FIG. 28 is another cross-sectional view of the pulley in the same section as FIG. 26, showing a misaligned frame
  • FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an incremental weight stack for use with an exercise machine, including the machine of FIG. 13.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the shoulder press machine 1 of this invention in the rest position.
  • the exercise machine has a frame. 10 comprising a front leg 25, a rear brace 27, a lower brace 28, and a hinge brace 29 (see FIG. 4).
  • the frame is constructed of 11/2 ⁇ 3 inch rectangular, and 2-inch square, 11 gauge steel tubing.
  • a seat 11 is mounted to the front leg 25 of the frame. The seat is adapted to be positioned at various heights along a slot 26 in the leg to provide a comfortable starting position and to allow a full range of motion for users of varying stature.
  • a backrest 12 (shown partially cut away) is mounted on the leg above the seat.
  • the leg 25 is slanted toward the back of the frame such that the backrest 12 is in a partially reclined position.
  • the seat may be disposed perpendicular to the backrest.
  • the seat and backrest comprise a user support adapted to maintain the user in a comfortable position for exercising.
  • Arms 60 are mounted to the frame 10 by a hinge mechanism 50, including a primary hinge 30 and secondary hinges 32 and 34.
  • the primary hinge 30 is mounted to the frame 10.
  • the hinge brace 29 of the frame curves upward at the rear of the frame for mounting the primary hinge 30 (see FIG. 4).
  • the primary hinge is disposed perpendicular to a vertical plane X--X (see FIG. 6) extending through the center of the machine 1. While in the currently preferred embodiment the primary hinge 30 is disposed directly behind the top of the backrest 12, it could be located in other positions and still practice the invention. In particular, the primary hinge could be raised or lowered from this position to vary the potential paths of handle motion during the shoulder press exercise.
  • Handles 61 are mounted at the end of the arms 60 distal to the hinge mechanism 50.
  • the handles 61a present the user with a neutral grip;
  • handles 61b present the user with a barbell grip (see FIG. 6).
  • other handle positions could be used, or a variable position handle such as a pivoting handle, or a pad for pushing with the user's arm, wrist or elbow, could be attached to the arm to permit the user to perform other exercises.
  • Post brackets 63 extend downward from the arms 60 on the proximal side of the handles 61, about 1/3 the arm length from the handles. The post brackets also extend outward from the center of the machine (see FIG. 7). Posts 62 extend outwardly from the post brackets for mounting weight plates 23 (see FIG. 6). Spacers 64 are mounted to the posts 62 proximate to the arms 60. Due to the curvature of the arms, the weight plates are mounted outward of the handles, preferably about 6 inches. As discussed more fully below, the user exercises by pushing handles 61 upward from a rest position, overcoming the resistance of gravity on the weight plates.
  • a weight stack could be operably engaged to the arms 60 to resist the movement of handles 61.
  • the arms curve approximately 60° in a downward and inward direction at a point distal the secondary bearing tubes.
  • the proximal portions of the arms 60 are oriented at about 12° from horizontal as viewed from the side (see FIG. 4); the proximal portions of the arms are oriented about 27° from the vertical plane X--X extending through the center of the machine when viewed from above (see FIG. 6); and the proximal portions of the arms are oriented at about 65° from the central vertical plane X--X when viewed from the front (see FIG. 7). While this arm orientation is preferred, other angles and relationships could be used and still practice the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge mechanism 50 with the arms 60 partially cut away.
  • the primary bearing tube 31 is rotatable about a primary axis 46 which axis is disposed perpendicular to the vertical plane X--X (FIG. 6) through the center of the machine.
  • Brackets 47 are rigidly mounted to the primary bearing tube 31, such as by welding.
  • the secondary hinges 32 and 34 are rotatably mounted to the brackets.
  • the secondary hinges include the secondary bearing tubes 33 and 35 mounted to sealed bearings (not shown), such as model #87503 metric bearings manufactured by Fafnir, or an equivalent.
  • the secondary bearing tubes are rotatable about secondary axes 48 and 49.
  • the secondary hinge axes 48 and 49 are skew to the primary hinge axis 46; in other words, the secondary hinge axes are not parallel to the primary hinge axis.
  • the arms 60 are rigidly attached to the secondary bearing tubes 33 and 35 approximately perpendicular to the secondary hinge axes.
  • FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C which are schematic views of the primary hinge and secondary hinges in plane IA--IA (see FIG. 4), the secondary hinges are disposed at an angle A with respect to the primary hinge.
  • the preferred angle A is 115°, as shown in FIG. 3C and explained below.
  • the exerciser lifts the handles 61 during an exercise stroke, most of the weight of the plates 23 (approximately 2/3 in the preferred embodiment) is supported by the user as longitudinal (downward) resistance. Because the weight plates 23 are located on the arms 60 between the handles 61 and the hinge mechanism 50, the remaining portion of the weight (approximately 1/3) is supported by the hinge mechanism 50. Further, the hinge mechanism must absorb considerable torsion transmitted through the arms 60, because the weight plates are offset laterally outward from the handles 61 by a distance R (see FIG. 6). The hinge mechanism 50 operates to utilize these forces to create a lateral (outward) component of resistance. The combination of lateral and longitudinal resistance increases the effectiveness of the shoulder press exercise and provides feedback to the user that encourages symmetrical exercise paths of the right and left hands.
  • FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic views of the hinge mechanism 50 showing the secondary hinge angle A.
  • a secondary hinge angle A other than 90° as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, asymmetry between the position of the user's right and left hands during an exercise stroke will cause the user to feel asymmetric feedback from the machine.
  • the typical user will naturally seek to distribute the load equivalently between the left and right sides. Consequently, the secondary hinge angle of more or less than 90° encourages the user to move his hands symmetrically.
  • the more the secondary hinge angle A diverges from 90° the more the user is encouraged to perform the exercise symmetrically.
  • the hinge mechanism 50 can make the exercise machine feel "stable" as perceived by a user. It has been found that in using a machine with a hinge angle A of 90°, the user perceives that the exercise stroke is unstable because lateral hand movement is unresisted. This sensation is more pronounced in exercises requiring pushing, such as the shoulder press exercise of the present exercise machine, than in pulling exercises. A machine with a hinge angle A other than 90° feels more stable to a user because it resists lateral movement and encourages a symmetrical stroke. The perception of stability increases as angle A diverges from 90°.
  • the preferred secondary hinge angle of 115° (as shown in FIG. 3C) has been found by experimentation to produce the most comfortable or natural shoulder press exercise stroke.
  • the relationship of lateral resistance to longitudinal resistance at this angle seems to provide an effective exercise for the muscles of the shoulders.
  • sufficient lateral resistance is provided so that a user perceives the shoulder press exercise as stable.
  • Other secondary hinge angles could be selected for a shoulder press apparatus based on the comfort, stability, muscular development or exercise goals of a particular group of users to emphasize the longitudinal or lateral resistance to the exercise.
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the shoulder press exercise apparatus in the rest position, with the seat and backrest removed, and without weight plates mounted on the posts 62.
  • the front leg 25 is disposed at about 70° from horizontal. The pitch of the leg could be altered to cause the user to recline more or to sit up straighter, thereby changing the effect of the exercise.
  • the post bracket 63 extends downward from the arm 60 so that, in the rest position, the post 62 is at a level slightly below that of the primary hinge 30. As the handle 61 is raised, the movement of post 62, and any weight plates mounted on it, approximates an arc about the primary hinge 30. Near the rest position, the weight of the plate 23 acts in a direction opposite the path of the weight plates, providing a maximum resistance in the exercise stroke. As the arms move upward through an angle ⁇ (FIG. 5), the component of the weight acting to resist arm motion decreases.
  • An arm stop shelf 67 is secured to the front leg 25 of the frame 10, and is braced by shelf support 68.
  • the stop shelf is preferably inclined to be perpendicular to the leg.
  • a rubber or elastomer arm stop 59 is mounted to an arm stop bracket 58 (FIG. 1), which is secured to the arm 60 between the hinge mechanism 50 and the weight post bracket 63. In the rest position shown in FIG. 4, the arm stop 59 contacts the arm stop shelf 67, limiting the downward travel of the handles 61 and defining the rest position.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the shoulder press exercise apparatus, with the seat and backrest removed, and without weight plates mounted on the posts 62.
  • the arms are in an elevated position, having lifted the post 62 and any weight thereon to an angle ⁇ above the horizontal.
  • the secondary hinges have rotated upward about the primary hinge.
  • the arm stop 59 is no longer in contact with the stop shelf 67.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of the shoulder press exercise machine of the invention in the rest position, with the seat and backrest removed, and with weight plates 23 mounted to the posts 62.
  • the arm stop brackets 58 are provided with rubber or elastomer bumpers 69 on their distal ends. The bumpers may contact each other during the exercise stroke to prevent the handles 61 from coming too close together. Further, during the lower portion of the stroke and in the rest position, the bumpers may contact the top portion of the front leg 25, maintaining the handles 61 at a comfortable starting width in the rest position, while providing sufficient space between the handles for the user to access the seat (see FIG. 7).
  • An arm strap 53 connects the arms 60 to limit outward travel of the arms during the exercise stroke and in the rest position.
  • the arm strap is preferably KEVLAR® fabric, although other high-strength tethers could be used.
  • the strap is held on the arms by a pressure plate 54 that clamps the strap to the arms.
  • the strap is positioned on the arms 60 so that it remains behind the top portion of the front leg 25. During an exercise stroke, outward movement of the arms is thus limited by the strap 53, while inward movement of the arms is limited by the bumpers 69.
  • other mechanisms for limiting arm travel such as mechanical stops attached to the primary bearing tube, could be used and still practice the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the rest position.
  • the weight posts 62 are inclined upward approximately 25° in order to safely retain the weight plates 23.
  • weight plates are mounted on the posts 62 corresponding to the resistance desired.
  • the same weight is placed on each one of the posts.
  • the user adjusts the seat 11 to a suitable position on the leg 25 (FIG. 1). For example, a user with a longer torso will adjust the seat to a lower height such that the handles 61 are positioned at a comfortable starting height for the shoulder press exercise.
  • the user grasps the handles at a selected position, either in the neutral or barbell grip, and pushes upward.
  • the movement of the handles causes rotation of the arms 60, the secondary bearings 32 and 34 and the brackets 47 about the primary bearing 30. As the arm rotates, it lifts the posts 62 and weights 23.
  • the user pushes the handles upward (concentric action) he overcomes the resistance provided by the weight.
  • the user returns the handles (eccentric action) he succumbs to the resistance provided by the weight.
  • a user may choose to emulate a traditional shoulder press exercise by grasping the barbell grip handles 61b in the rest position (a wide hand width) and pressing directly upward while maintaining his hands at a constant width.
  • the arm strap 53 between the arms 60 remains taut, and there is no lateral movement of the handles.
  • the secondary bearing tubes 33 and 35 are not caused to rotate with respect to the brackets 47. Rather, only the primary bearing tube 31 rotates and the handles follow a path similar to that of traditional machines.
  • the user may choose a shoulder exercise with an inward lateral component of motion.
  • the user begins the exercise stroke by grasping either the neutral handles 61a or the barbell handles 61b at the rest position and follows a "C" shape, pressing upward at the beginning of the stroke and bringing the handles together in an arcuate path at the end of the stroke.
  • the user encounters resistance in both the longitudinal and lateral components of the concentric portion (i.e., where the muscles contract against the load) of the stroke. In a traditional machine, this would not be possible.
  • the hinge mechanism 50 allows such movement.
  • the outward offset R of the weight plates to the handles causes the hinge mechanism 50 to resist the lateral component of movement.
  • the axis A--A which passes through the user's grip on the handle 61, can be moved by the user by moving his grip on the handle. This increases or decreases the offset R, which in turn affects the resistance to the lateral component of movement.
  • the user can therefore select, to some extent, the ratio of lateral to longitudinal resistance by his grip placement on the handle 61.
  • spacers such as cylindrical collars, can be placed on the posts 62 to increase the offset R of the weights to the axis A--A.
  • the user cannot "lock out” his elbows at the end of the exercise stroke to transfer the load from the muscular system to the skeletal system, as is possible on traditional machines and free weights.
  • the lateral component of the resistance continues to oppose the shoulder muscles even when the user's elbows are straightened.
  • the hinge mechanism 50 permits movement of the handles 61 upward (i.e., longitudinally) and inward (i.e., laterally) in a relationship selected by the user. Consequently, the user can grasp either set of handles and push upward and inward in the natural arcuate path. Alternatively, the user can select another path to give the muscles a different workout. For example, the user may wish to push directly upward and then move directly downward, emulating the purely longitudinal motion of a traditional shoulder press. The user may instead choose to press his hands directly upward, and then, at the end of the stroke, move his hands in latitudinally while his arms are fully extended. The user may choose to move his hands out latitudinally near the beginning of the stroke, and then push upward longitudinally. The user can even chose a "figure eight" path, moving his hands in, out, in and out again during the exercise stroke. Any combination of such movements can be accomplished with the machine of the present invention.
  • the user has flexibility in how he exercises the muscles of his shoulders.
  • the resistance overcome by the particular muscle group is determined, in part, by the selected path of the hands and the secondary hinge angle A.
  • the offset R and the secondary hinge angle A are selected to present a combination of lateral resistance and longitudinal resistance that feels comfortable or natural to a typical user moving his hands in an arcuate path. Consequently, the user defines, in part, the resistance profile by his path selection.
  • the double hinge mechanism 50 in combination with the weight placement on the arms, thus provides a fundamental advance over existing exercise machines by establishing a ratio of lateral to longitudinal resistance while encouraging left-to-right hand symmetry in the exercise stroke and allowing the user to select the path of the stroke and the muscle group emphasized.
  • the hinge mechanism 50 encourages symmetrical movement of the handles 61. Such symmetrical movement, however, is not required. The user can move his hands through different paths during the same exercise stroke. While this configuration is currently the preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be advantageous in some situations to further couple the motion of the arms, as is done in several of the following additional embodiments.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 80 and arms 81 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 82 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 83, although they may be oriented at other angles.
  • Flanges 84 are pivotally mounted to each arm, such as by piano hinges 85.
  • the flanges 84 are rotatably mounted to each other, such as by a knuckle joint 86.
  • the arms and flanges constrain the knuckle joint to move within the plane of symmetry S--S between the arms. Since the linkage formed by the primary bearing tube 87, the arms and the flanges is symmetrical, the arms must translate the same amount laterally. Consequently, the arms (and thus the handles) are forced to move symmetrically.
  • the hinges, flanges and knuckle joint may be constructed of a resilient material such as plastic, elastomer or rubber.
  • the knuckle joint may be a deformable rubber connector, or the hinges, flanges and knuckle may be a one-piece polymer part with reduced cross sections in the areas requiring flexure. Such embodiments encourage symmetric exercise strokes while permitting some left-to-right asymmetry.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 90 and arms 91 of another embodiment of the invention. Again, the arms are operably engaged such that they must move symmetrically in the lateral direction.
  • the secondary 92 hinges are again shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 93, although other angles of attachment are possible.
  • a slider rod 94 is fixedly mounted to the primary hinge 93.
  • a slider ring 95 is mounted to the slider rod 94 and adapted to be displaceable along its length.
  • Links 96 are pivotally mounted to the slider ring and to each arm 91. Consequently, as the arms are displaced laterally, the slider ring is caused to move along the slider rod. Due to their mutual connection to the slider ring, both arms are caused to move symmetrically about the secondary hinges.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 100 and arms 101 of another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the secondary hinges 102 are shown mounted perpendicularly to the primary hinge 103, although other attachment angles are possible.
  • a barrel cam 104 having mirrored, grooved profiles 105 is mounted to the primary bearing tube 108 equidistant from both secondary hinges 102.
  • the barrel cam is mounted for rotational movement.
  • a rigid link 106 with a cam follower 107 is pivotally mounted to each arm. As an arm is moved outward, the barrel cam is forced to rotate about its axis, causing the other rigid link to force the other arm to move the same lateral distance.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 110 and arms 111 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 112 are shown mounted perpendicularly to the primary hinge 113, although other attachment angles are possible.
  • An anchor 114 is rigidly mounted to the primary hinge between the secondary hinges 112.
  • a variable length link 115 engages each arm 111 to the anchor.
  • a resistance mechanism 116 such as a pneumatic, hydraulic, spring, elastic band, electrical or magnetic resistance, is operably engaged to the link 115 to resist any change in length. Consequently, the mechanism provides resistance to lateral movement of the arms 111 during the exercise stroke. Also, the resistance mechanism discourages quick, lateral movement of the arms.
  • the mechanism 110 thus provides resistance to lateral movement both inward and outward, while encouraging a smooth stroke.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 120 and arms 121 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 122 are shown mounted perpendicular to the primary hinge 123. However, other orientations are possible.
  • Branches 124 are fixedly mounted to the primary bearing tube 129.
  • a pulley 125 is mounted on each branch and disposed in the same plane as its respective arm.
  • Cables or belts 126 are attached to the arms 121, extend over the pulleys 125 and attach to a plate 127.
  • the plate is attached to the primary bearing tube 129 by a resistance 128, which can be a spring, or can be another resistance device such as hydraulic, pneumatic, frictional or electromagnetic.
  • the cables 126 could be attached to the arms 121 to resist outward movement, as shown, or to resist inward movement.
  • the plate 127 could be journaled in a track, or mounted on rails (not shown), such that the orientation of the plate with respect to the primary hinge is fixed. Consequently, as one arm is displaced laterally, the other arm is free to rotate the same lateral distance.
  • FIG. 13A is a schematic front elevation view of a weight resistance assembly 130 of an embodiment of the invention including a weight stack 131 as is known in the art.
  • FIG. 13B is a side view of the assembly with the weight stack.
  • the spring 128 shown in FIG. 12 is replaced by a cable or belt 132.
  • a pulley 133 is mounted on or near the primary hinge to direct the cable or belt for attachment to the weight stack 131. Consequently, to move the arms laterally, the user must pull on the cable or belt, thereby lifting the weight stack. The user thus has the freedom to select the resistance to the lateral movement of the hands.
  • separate weight stacks are provided to resist the lateral movement of each arm.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of a hinge mechanism 140 of another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the secondary hinges 142 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 143, although other orientations could be used.
  • Rigid members 144 are mounted to the primary hinge 143 and disposed in the plane of rotation of the arms 141 about the secondary hinges 142.
  • a resistance means 145 such as a spring, is operably engaged to each arm 141 and its respective rigid member 144.
  • the resistance means resists the lateral movement of the arm outward.
  • the resistance means may be disposed at different points along the arm and the rigid member to vary the lateral resistance.
  • the shape of rigid member 144 or the angle of attachment of the rigid member to the primary hinge 143 may be chosen to further define the resistance profile as means 145 is moved along the arm.
  • the angle of attachment may further be adjustable.
  • the resistance means 145 may be attached to both the arm 141 and the member 144 to operate in both tension and compression, providing bidirectional resistance to lateral arm movement.
  • FIG. 14A shows another embodiment or the hinge mechanism 140 of FIG. 14, with the resistance means 145 comprising a set of springs 146, 147, 148 mounted to a ring 149.
  • the ring is rotatably mounted to the rigid member 144 such that each spring can be indexed into contact with the arm 141.
  • Each spring 146-148 has a different spring constant and thus provides a different resistance to the lateral movement of the arms.
  • FIG. 15 shows the hinge mechanism 150 and arms 151 of another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the secondary hinges 152 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 153.
  • a central member 154 is mounted to the primary hinge 153 between the secondary hinges and disposed in the same plane as the arms 151.
  • the angles or shape of the central member may be adjustable.
  • a resistance means 155 such as a spring, is operably engaged to each arm 151 and the central member 154.
  • the resistance means 155 resists the lateral movement of the arm toward the central member. This results in resistance to the lateral displacement of the handles (not shown) toward the center.
  • the resistance means 155 may be moved by the user to different points along the arm and the central member to vary the resistance.
  • FIG. 15A shows the hinge mechanism 150 of FIG. 15 with an alternative resistance means.
  • the resistance means in this embodiment comprises spring pairs 157 and 158 mounted to a ring 159.
  • the ring is rotatable about the rigid member 156 such that a different spring pair may be indexed into contact with the arms.
  • Each spring pair 157 and 158 has a different spring constant and thus provides a different resistance to the lateral movement of the arms 151.
  • the ring 159 may be made displaceable along the length of the rigid member 156 to additionally vary the resistance to lateral movement of the arms 151.
  • FIG. 16 is a front schematic view of the hinge mechanism 160 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 162 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 163, although other secondary hinge angles are possible.
  • a torsion spring 164 is mounted to the primary hinge 163 near each secondary hinge 162 and operably engaged to the respective arm 161.
  • the torsion spring resists the rotation of the arm about the secondary hinge.
  • the torsion spring may be disposed to resist either inward movement of the arm or outward movement of the arm.
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of the hinge mechanism 170, arms 171 and handles 172 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the arms 171 are directly mounted to the primary hinge 173.
  • the handles 172 are pivotally mounted to the arms and adapted to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the arms about a handle peg 175.
  • a spring 174 such as a torsion spring or other resistance mechanism, may resist the rotation of the handle 172 about the handle peg 175.
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 180 and arms 181 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 182 are shown mounted perpendicular to the primary hinge 183, although other attachment angles are possible and still practice the invention.
  • a large spur gear 184 is fixedly mounted to each arm 181 and adapted to rotate about its respective secondary hinge 182.
  • the teeth of the large spur gears 184 engage each other such that the arms are caused to rotate about their respective secondary hinges together. Consequently, the handles and the user's hands are displaced symmetrically with respect to a central vertical plane.
  • the large spur gears could be replaced by bevel gears.
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 190 and arms 191 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 192 are shown mounted perpendicularly to the primary hinge 193, although other attachment angles are possible.
  • Gears or pinions 194 are attached to each arm 191 and adapted to rotate about the secondary hinges 192 with the respective arm.
  • a rack 195 is operably engaged to the pinions 194, forming a "rack and pinion" system which causes the arms to rotate about their respective secondary hinges 192 symmetrically. Consequently, the arms 191 are forced to move the same lateral distance.
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 200 and arms 201 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the secondary hinges 202 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 203.
  • the secondary hinges could be disposed at other orientations.
  • a sprocket or pulley 204 is mounted on each secondary hinge 202 and adapted to rotate with the respective arms 201.
  • a chain or belt 205 is looped about the pulleys in a "figure eight" configuration, causing the arms to rotate symmetrically in the lateral direction. Alternately, two chain or belt segments could be used, each following an S-shape, to form the figure eight.
  • the belt may be non-deformable and require completely symmetrical movement of the arms, or may be made of an elastic material which would permit the arms to rotate asymmetrically but would encourage symmetrical movement.
  • FIG. 21 is a partial schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 210, arms 211 and handles 212 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the arms are mounted directly to the primary hinge 213.
  • the arms may be angled outward.
  • Handle rods 214 are mounted at the ends of the arms distal to the primary hinge 213.
  • a handle is slidingly mounted to each handle rod. The user is thus free to select the width of his hands during the exercise stroke, even changing the position of the hands.
  • FIGS. 21A-21F show schematic end views of the hinge mechanism 210, in the plane 215 of the arms 211.
  • the handle rod may be oriented within, the plane of the arms, providing a neutral-resistance sliding motion of the handles 212.
  • the handle rod may be slanted up away from the arm, slanted down away from the arm or disposed horizontally. Further, the handles may be tilted backward from plane 215, as shown in FIG. 21B, or tilted forward of plane 215, as shown in FIG. 21C, thereby resisting handle movement inward or outward respectively, as this movement raises the arms and acts against the resistance.
  • a resistance mechanism such as springs 216-219
  • the resistance mechanism 216 opposes movement of the handles 212 outward.
  • the resistance mechanism 217, 218 opposes movement of the handles 212 both inward and outward.
  • the resistance mechanism 219 opposes movement of the handles 212 inward.
  • the resistance mechanisms 216-219 may be further supplemented by inclining the handle rods 214 as shown in FIGS. 21B and 21C.
  • FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of the hinge mechanism 220, arms 221 and handles 222 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the arms 221 are mounted directly to the primary hinge 223.
  • the arms are angled outward.
  • Handle rods 224 are mounted at the ends of the arms distal to the primary hinge and disposed on the interior side of the arms.
  • a handle is slidingly mounted to each handle rod. The user is thus free to select the width of his hand position during the exercise stroke, and to vary the position of the hands throughout the exercise pattern.
  • the handle rod may be oriented within the plane 225 of the arms 221, or angled rearward from or forward of plane 225, to provide neutral, inward or outward resistance, respectively, to handle movement.
  • a resistance mechanism such as springs 226-229
  • the resistance mechanism 226 opposes movement of the handles 222 outward.
  • the resistance mechanism 227, 228 opposes movement of the handles 222 both inward and outward.
  • the resistance mechanism 229 opposes movement of the handles 222 inward.
  • the resistance mechanisms 226-229 may be further supplemented by inclining the handle rods 224 as shown in FIGS. 22B and 22C.
  • FIG. 23 is a schematic front view of the hinge mechanism 230, arms 231 and handles 232 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the arms are mounted directly to the primary hinge.
  • the arms may be angled outward.
  • Handle rods 234 are mounted at the ends of the arms 231 distal to the primary hinge 233 and disposed on the exterior side of the arms.
  • the handle rod may be oriented at a horizontal plane, tilted up away from the arm, or tilted down away from the arm.
  • a handle 232 is slidingly mounted to each handle rod 234.
  • a cable 235 is engaged to each handle and is directed, for example, by pulleys 236, 237 and 238 up to the primary hinge 233 and down to a weight stack (see FIGS.
  • the cable 235 is preferably disposed within the handle rod 234 and arm 231 to decrease the chance of the user contacting the cable.
  • the handle rods 234 may alternatively be mounted to the interior side of the arm to provide resistance to inward motion of the arms. Further, the movement of the cables alternatively may be resisted by springs, friction, pneumatic, electric or magnetic resistance or other resistance mechanisms.
  • FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 240 and arms 241 and 248 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • a single secondary hinge 242 is mounted perpendicular to the primary hinge 243.
  • An extension 244 is attached to one of the arms 241 opposite the secondary hinge.
  • a pivot plate 245 is slidingly and pivotally mounted at its center 247 to the primary hinge 243.
  • the extension 244 is pivotally mounted to one end of the pivot plate 245.
  • a rigid link 246 is pivotally mounted to the other end of the pivot plate 245 and to the other arm 248.
  • a four-bar linkage is created by the extension 244, the portion of the second arm 248 near the primary hinge, the rigid link 246 and the pivot plate 245. Lateral displacement of one of the arms causes lateral displacement of the other in the opposite direction, via the four bar linkage.
  • FIG. 25 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism 250 of another embodiment of the present invention that permits the user to select the orientation of the secondary hinges to the primary hinge, respectively. Since the orientation of the secondary hinge to the primary hinge controls the resistance ratio of longitudinal to lateral resistance, the user can employ this embodiment to select a resistance ratio best suited to his exercise needs.
  • the secondary hinges 251 (left secondary hinge only is shown) are mounted to the primary hinge 252 by a variable position rod 253.
  • the arm 254 is mounted to the secondary hinge 251 by U-shaped member 255 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted to the secondary hinge.
  • the orientation of the secondary hinge 251 to the primary hinge 252 is maintained by the engagement of notched or serrated surfaces 256 and 257 mounted to the secondary hinge and the primary hinge.
  • the notched surfaces are removed from engagement, such as by loosening a locking mechanism 258 such as a wing nut or cam lock. Once disengaged, the secondary hinge may be rotated to a desired position. The locking mechanism 258 is then tightened, engaging the notched surfaces and locking the secondary hinge in position with respect to the primary hinge.
  • both secondary hinges are disposed at the same orientation with respect to the primary hinge such that both arms will require the same force to be displaced laterally.
  • a weight stack 131 may be connected to the exercising means by a belt 132 extending over a pulley 133.
  • FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of a self-aligning pulley 270 for use with an exercise machine, such as the exercise machine of FIGS. 13A and 13B.
  • the pulley is designed to align itself with the belt when either the frame or the belt is not perfectly aligned.
  • Such a self-aligning pulley may be substituted for the traditional pulley used as the weight stack pulley 133 in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.
  • FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the pulley 270 of FIG. 26, taken through section XXVII--XXVII.
  • the self-aligning pulley 270 has a hub 277 mounted to a bearing 273.
  • a channel 278 having side walls 279 and a bottom 280 is disposed at the circumference of the hub 277 and adapted to accept a belt 281. In use, the belt should lie flat against the bottom of the channel.
  • a shaft 271 having a novel design is mounted to the frame 272.
  • the shaft 271 is preferably made from a mild tool steel such as SAE 1018.
  • a bearing 273 is mounted over the shaft such that it is disposed symmetrically about the center of the shaft.
  • the center of the shaft has a crowned portion 274 that presents a convex surface to the bearings.
  • Spacers or locking rings 275 are disposed at the ends of the shaft 271 to prevent the bearing from slipping off the shaft.
  • the shaft could be formed with integral flanges at each end.
  • Wave washers 276, preferably made of hardened steel having some compressibility, are mounted to the shaft and disposed between each spacer 275 and the bearing 273.
  • the wave washers bias the bearing away from the spacers and, thus, operate to urge the bearing toward the center of the convex surface.
  • Other centering devices such as O-rings, could be substituted for the wave washers.
  • the self-aligning pulley 270 is shown in FIG. 26 mounted to a cylindrical portion of frame 272, which is fitted to an internal diameter of the shaft 271, the frame could alternatively have bores fitted to the external diameters of the spacers 275 and still practice the invention.
  • FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of the self-aligning pulley 270 shown correcting for a misalignment.
  • the frame 272 is misaligned from a horizontal axis 282.
  • this apparatus would work equally well if the belt 281 were misaligned. If a traditional pulley were used, the belt 281 would ride, at least in part, on the side wall 279 of the channel 278. When the misalignment is severe, or over long periods of use, the belt would have a tendency to ride up over the side wall 279 completely, such that the belt would be completely out of the channel.
  • the self-aligning pulley compensates for misalignment by tilting about a plane extending through the center of the pulley.
  • the belt 281 exerts a force on the pulley 270 that overcomes the bias of the wave washers 276 and causes the bearing 273 to slide over the crowned portion 274, resulting in the tilting of the pulley.
  • the tilting of the pulley maintains the belt 281 in a flat position against the bottom 280 of the channel.
  • the crowned portion 274, which is a surface of rotation, preferably maintains the pulley in a symmetrical position with respect to the center of the shaft so that the pulley will tilt, rather than simply slide.
  • the self-aligning pulley 270 reduces maintenance costs by minimizing edge wear on the belt 281 and by reducing side loads on the bearing 273. Furthermore, the self-aligning pulley can reduce manufacturing costs by permitting increased alignment tolerances without sacrificing belt life and smoothness of operation.
  • FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an incremental weight stack 70 for use with a selectorized exercise machine, such as the apparatus of FIG. 13.
  • a flange or storage finger 73 (shown partly in phantom) is rigidly mounted to a flange 72, which in turn is attached to a weight stack brace 20 such as by bolting. Slotted holes (not shown) may be provided in the flange 72 for height adjustment.
  • the flange finger extends proximate to the top weight plate 75.
  • a stack or movement finger 74 is mounted to the top of the top weight plate 75.
  • Incremental weights 76 having tracks such as axial bore 79 (shown in phantom) for receiving the fingers 73 and 74, are slidingly mounted on the flange finger 73.
  • the tips of the frame finger 73 and the stack finger 74 are adjacent, almost touching.
  • the incremental weights can be moved from the flange finger to the stack finger as desired.
  • the tips of the fingers 73 and 74 may be rounded to provide for a smooth transfer of the incremental weights 76.
  • Rubber or elastomer bumpers 77 can be mounted to the fingers to restrict the movement of the incremental weights on the fingers.
  • both fingers are slanted up toward the tips at approximately 5° from horizontal. This angle retains the incremental weights on the respective fingers while permitting the weights to easily slide from one finger to the other.
  • the incremental weight stack 70 permits use of heavy plates on the main weight stack 23.
  • each plate on the main stack may weigh 20 pounds.
  • the user selects the desired resistance by placing a pin (not shown) in one of the holes 78 such that when tether 40 displaces the top weight plate 75, the selected number of weight plates from stack 23 are also displaced, as is known in the art.
  • Each incremental weight may be 5 pounds. If three incremental weights are mounted to the flange finger, the user can select the appropriate resistance in five-pound increments by sliding the appropriate number of weights to the stack finger. This allows the user to finely adjust the resistance at any point throughout the weight stack. Further, the manufacturer will save costs in manufacturing and assembling an exercise machine with the incremental weight stack due to the labor saved using a smaller number of plates.

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for performing a shoulder press exercise are disclosed. A user support and a primary hinge are mounted to a frame. A secondary hinge is mounted to the primary hinge. An arm mounted to the secondary hinge has a handle adapted to be grasped by the user. The two hinges permit the user to displace the handle in either or both the longitudinal and lateral directions. A means for resisting the displacement of the handle, preferably in both the lateral and longitudinal directions, is provided. The resistance means may include a post attached to the arm for mounting weight plates. A second handle, arm, and secondary hinge may be provided for the other hand so that the user may exercise both halves of his body. The arms may be connected such that both handles move the same longitudinal and/or lateral distance. To use the exercise machine, a user selects a weight for exercise, sits on the user support, grasps the handle and pushes upward from his shoulders, moving the handle longitudinally and laterally as he so chooses, overcoming the resistance.

Description

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/396,670 filed Mar. 1, 1995 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, entitled, "Rear Deltoid and Rowing Exercise Machine and Method of Exercising," Roy Simonson, inventor.
This application is also related to co-pending application Ser. No. 08/401,708 filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, entitled "Plate-Loaded Chest Press Exercise Machine and Method of Exercising," Roy Simonson, inventor.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of exercise and physical rehabilitation equipment: in particular, to an apparatus and method for exercising the upper torso.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often necessary or desirable for a person to exercise a particular muscle or group of muscles. For example, when a muscle is damaged, such as through injury or surgery, it is important to exercise the muscle to prevent atrophy and to strengthen the muscle for normal use. Further, people exercise healthy muscles to increase strength and to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, as well as to improve their appearance. Various routines have been developed to exercise different muscle groups by forcing the muscles to contract and extend under a load, such as by moving a free weight against the force of gravity or by moving a handle whose movement is resisted by an exercise machine.
One such exercise is known as a shoulder press. An exerciser sits upright on a seat and grasps a barbell at shoulder level. The exerciser pushes the barbell upward, extending his arms, and then lowers the barbell down. This exercise can be dangerous as the exerciser may drop the barbell. Further, the exerciser should have a partner to spot him in case he fails to lift the weight. When using free weights, the resistance provided by gravity is constant while the strength of the muscles varies over the range of motion. Consequently, the muscles are not fully loaded at each point over the range of motion.
During a shoulder press, the hands seek to follow a curved path inward as the weight is moved upward. This path cannot be followed when using a barbell because the hands are maintained at a fixed distance. Further, the user's head must be tilted back or forward during the lower portion of the stroke to clear the barbell. These deficiencies can be overcome by performing the exercise with dumbbells.
To overcome these difficulties, machines have been developed that simulate the exercise movements of a shoulder press. In one apparatus, a lever is hinged to a frame by a pivot behind the user. During the exercise stroke, the user's hands move from the shoulder longitudinally upward in parallel arcs, in planes perpendicular to the back of the user. A weight resistance, such as a weight plate or a weight stack, is operably engaged to the lever to resist the movement of the user's hands. The user's hands cannot move laterally during the exercise stroke, and the user cannot choose the path taken by his hands.
Certain facilities purchasing exercise equipment prefer machines with free weights as the resistance means over machines with integral weight stacks. This is because free weights are often already available within the facility, and machines without weight stacks are generally less expensive to ship and install.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,632, an exercise machine is disclosed in which levers are rotatably mounted to a frame above the seated user. Handles are mounted to the levers. Resistance to handle movement is provided by weight plates mounted to the levers. The hinges for the levers are disposed at an angle of 5° with respect to a central vertical midplane, such that the user must move his hands in defined arcs in particular diverging planes as he presses upward longitudinally on the handles. This apparatus forces the user's hands to follow a preset rate of convergence and divergence during the exercise stroke, regardless of the user's anatomy. This apparatus does not permit the user to select his own path of motion for the press exercise. Rather, the motion is dictated by the angle of the hinges.
A shoulder exercise apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,856. In this device, a bench is provided for the user to exercise in a prone or supine position. A shaft extends from a ball and socket joint mounted to the side of the bench, and a handle is slidably mounted to the shaft. Frictional resistance is provided both at the ball and socket joint and at the sliding connection between the handle and the shaft. The user exercises by moving the handle against one or both of these resistances. While providing multiple paths of motion through the range of the ball and socket joint, this machine provides for exercising only one arm at a time, cannot coordinate the motion of two arms, and has the disadvantages associated with frictional resistance such as changing resistance due to heat buildup, and wear. Further, this machine only provides concentric action (i.e., where the muscles contract against a load). No eccentric action (i.e., where muscles extend under a load) is possible with this machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for performing a shoulder press exercise in which the user can vary the distance between his hands while performing the exercise.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for performing a shoulder press exercise in which a user can select the path of hand motion best suited for his particular anatomy.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for performing a shoulder press exercise in which a resistance is provided against the lateral movement of a user's hands.
It is another object of the current invention to provide an apparatus and method for exercising the shoulders of a user which apparatus is of a lighter weight and allows use of free weights to provide resistance.
These and other objects of the invention will be clear from the following description of the invention.
In accord with one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for performing a shoulder press to exercise the muscles of a user. A primary hinge is mounted to a frame. A secondary hinge is mounted to the primary hinge. An arm is mounted to the secondary hinge. A handle is mounted to the arm distal to the secondary hinge. The handle is adapted to be grasped and displaced by the user. A resistance means such as a weight is attached to the arm at a point offset laterally outward from the machine. Due to the orientation of the two hinges, the handle may be displaced in both a longitudinal direction (upward) and a lateral direction (outward to the sides), as selected by the user. Due to the offset of the resistance means, combined with the orientation of the two hinges, displacement is resisted in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. The resistance means may include a post attached to the arm for mounting free weight plates. A second handle, arm and secondary hinge may be provided for the other hand so that the user may exercise both halves of his body. The arms may be connected such that both handles move the same longitudinal and/or lateral distance.
In accord with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for performing a shoulder press exercise with an apparatus having an arm pivotally mounted to a frame. A user loads a weight plate on a post mounted to the arm and sits on a user support. The user grasps a handle mounted to the arm and pushes the handle upward longitudinally from the level of his shoulders, moving the handle longitudinally and laterally as he so chooses. The user overcomes resistance to the lateral movement of the handle and resistance to the longitudinal movement of the handle. The user may grasp a second handle with his other hand to exercise both halves of his body. The handles may be connected such that both handles move the same longitudinal and/or lateral distance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoulder press exercise machine of the present invention in a rest position, with the backrest partially cut away;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the hinge portion of the exercise machine of FIG. 1, with the arms partially cut away;
FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic views of hinge mechanisms for use in the exercise machine of FIG. 1, in a plane IA--IA shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed, in the rest position;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed and arms raised;
FIG. 6 is plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed;
FIG. 7 is front elevation view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the seat and backrest removed, in the rest position;
FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having hinge plates;
FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a slider link;
FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a cam link;
FIG. 11 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having variable length links with resistance;
FIG. 12 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a spring pulley linkage;
FIG. 13A is a front elevational view of a weight stack of an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13B is a side elevational view of the weight stack of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 14 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having incrementally adjustable handle resistance;
FIG. 14A is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having discrete degrees of resistance;
FIG. 15 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having incrementally adjustable handle resistance;
FIG. 15A is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having discrete levels of resistance.
FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism of an embodiment of the invention having torsion springs to resist lateral movement;
FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a pivoting handgrip;
FIG. 18 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having large gears;
FIG. 19 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a rack and pinion link;
FIG. 20 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a belt and pulley link;
FIG. 21 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having outward sliding hand grips;
FIG. 21A is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of FIG. 21;
FIG. 21B is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
FIG. 21C is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
FIG. 21D is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism;
FIG. 21E is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism;
FIG. 21F is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism;
FIG. 22 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having inward sliding hand grips;
FIG. 22A is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of FIG. 22;
FIG. 22B is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
FIG. 22C is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having angled handle rods;
FIG. 22D is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism;
FIG. 22E is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism;
FIG. 22F is a partial schematic end view of the arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having a handle rod resistance mechanism;
FIG. 23 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism, arms and handles of an embodiment of the invention having sliding handles with cable resistance;
FIG. 23A is a partial detail perspective view of an arm and handle of the machine of FIG. 23;
FIG. 24 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism and arms of an embodiment of the invention having a pivoting bar linkage;
FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism of an embodiment of the invention having an adjustable arm angle;
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a self-aligning pulley for use with an exercise machine, including the machine of FIG. 13;
FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the pulley of FIG. 26, taken through section XXVII--XXVII;
FIG. 28 is another cross-sectional view of the pulley in the same section as FIG. 26, showing a misaligned frame;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an incremental weight stack for use with an exercise machine, including the machine of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the shoulder press machine 1 of this invention in the rest position. Unless otherwise noted, the structural components of the machine are a mild steel. The exercise machine has a frame. 10 comprising a front leg 25, a rear brace 27, a lower brace 28, and a hinge brace 29 (see FIG. 4). In the preferred embodiment, the frame is constructed of 11/2×3 inch rectangular, and 2-inch square, 11 gauge steel tubing. A seat 11 is mounted to the front leg 25 of the frame. The seat is adapted to be positioned at various heights along a slot 26 in the leg to provide a comfortable starting position and to allow a full range of motion for users of varying stature. A backrest 12 (shown partially cut away) is mounted on the leg above the seat. Preferably, the leg 25 is slanted toward the back of the frame such that the backrest 12 is in a partially reclined position. The seat may be disposed perpendicular to the backrest. The seat and backrest comprise a user support adapted to maintain the user in a comfortable position for exercising.
Arms 60 are mounted to the frame 10 by a hinge mechanism 50, including a primary hinge 30 and secondary hinges 32 and 34. The primary hinge 30 is mounted to the frame 10. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge brace 29 of the frame curves upward at the rear of the frame for mounting the primary hinge 30 (see FIG. 4). The primary hinge is disposed perpendicular to a vertical plane X--X (see FIG. 6) extending through the center of the machine 1. While in the currently preferred embodiment the primary hinge 30 is disposed directly behind the top of the backrest 12, it could be located in other positions and still practice the invention. In particular, the primary hinge could be raised or lowered from this position to vary the potential paths of handle motion during the shoulder press exercise.
Handles 61 are mounted at the end of the arms 60 distal to the hinge mechanism 50. The handles 61a present the user with a neutral grip; handles 61b present the user with a barbell grip (see FIG. 6). Alternatively, other handle positions could be used, or a variable position handle such as a pivoting handle, or a pad for pushing with the user's arm, wrist or elbow, could be attached to the arm to permit the user to perform other exercises.
Post brackets 63 extend downward from the arms 60 on the proximal side of the handles 61, about 1/3 the arm length from the handles. The post brackets also extend outward from the center of the machine (see FIG. 7). Posts 62 extend outwardly from the post brackets for mounting weight plates 23 (see FIG. 6). Spacers 64 are mounted to the posts 62 proximate to the arms 60. Due to the curvature of the arms, the weight plates are mounted outward of the handles, preferably about 6 inches. As discussed more fully below, the user exercises by pushing handles 61 upward from a rest position, overcoming the resistance of gravity on the weight plates. Of course, other mechanisms for providing resistance, such as a friction, springs, elastic bands, pneumatic or electromagnetic resistance, or an air resistance fan could be employed (either alone or in combination) and still practice the invention. Additionally, a weight stack could be operably engaged to the arms 60 to resist the movement of handles 61.
In the preferred embodiment, the arms curve approximately 60° in a downward and inward direction at a point distal the secondary bearing tubes. In the rest position (i.e., when no weight is being lifted), the proximal portions of the arms 60 are oriented at about 12° from horizontal as viewed from the side (see FIG. 4); the proximal portions of the arms are oriented about 27° from the vertical plane X--X extending through the center of the machine when viewed from above (see FIG. 6); and the proximal portions of the arms are oriented at about 65° from the central vertical plane X--X when viewed from the front (see FIG. 7). While this arm orientation is preferred, other angles and relationships could be used and still practice the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge mechanism 50 with the arms 60 partially cut away. The primary hinge 30, as currently preferred, includes a primary bearing tube 31 mounted on sealed bearings (not shown), such as model #87503 metric bearings manufactured by Fafnir, for an equivalent. The primary bearing tube 31 is rotatable about a primary axis 46 which axis is disposed perpendicular to the vertical plane X--X (FIG. 6) through the center of the machine.
Brackets 47 are rigidly mounted to the primary bearing tube 31, such as by welding. The secondary hinges 32 and 34 are rotatably mounted to the brackets. The secondary hinges include the secondary bearing tubes 33 and 35 mounted to sealed bearings (not shown), such as model #87503 metric bearings manufactured by Fafnir, or an equivalent. The secondary bearing tubes are rotatable about secondary axes 48 and 49. The secondary hinge axes 48 and 49 are skew to the primary hinge axis 46; in other words, the secondary hinge axes are not parallel to the primary hinge axis. The arms 60 are rigidly attached to the secondary bearing tubes 33 and 35 approximately perpendicular to the secondary hinge axes.
As discussed more fully below, the lateral offset of the weight post 62 to the handles 61, combined with the angular relationship of the primary hinge 30 to the secondary hinges 32 and 34, affects the resistance to handle movement. As currently preferred, the angular relationship of the hinges is fixed. Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, which are schematic views of the primary hinge and secondary hinges in plane IA--IA (see FIG. 4), the secondary hinges are disposed at an angle A with respect to the primary hinge. The preferred angle A is 115°, as shown in FIG. 3C and explained below.
As the exerciser lifts the handles 61 during an exercise stroke, most of the weight of the plates 23 (approximately 2/3 in the preferred embodiment) is supported by the user as longitudinal (downward) resistance. Because the weight plates 23 are located on the arms 60 between the handles 61 and the hinge mechanism 50, the remaining portion of the weight (approximately 1/3) is supported by the hinge mechanism 50. Further, the hinge mechanism must absorb considerable torsion transmitted through the arms 60, because the weight plates are offset laterally outward from the handles 61 by a distance R (see FIG. 6). The hinge mechanism 50 operates to utilize these forces to create a lateral (outward) component of resistance. The combination of lateral and longitudinal resistance increases the effectiveness of the shoulder press exercise and provides feedback to the user that encourages symmetrical exercise paths of the right and left hands.
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic views of the hinge mechanism 50 showing the secondary hinge angle A. With a secondary hinge angle A other than 90°, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, asymmetry between the position of the user's right and left hands during an exercise stroke will cause the user to feel asymmetric feedback from the machine. The typical user will naturally seek to distribute the load equivalently between the left and right sides. Consequently, the secondary hinge angle of more or less than 90° encourages the user to move his hands symmetrically. The more the secondary hinge angle A diverges from 90°, the more the user is encouraged to perform the exercise symmetrically.
By providing lateral resistance, and by encouraging a symmetric stroke, the hinge mechanism 50 can make the exercise machine feel "stable" as perceived by a user. It has been found that in using a machine with a hinge angle A of 90°, the user perceives that the exercise stroke is unstable because lateral hand movement is unresisted. This sensation is more pronounced in exercises requiring pushing, such as the shoulder press exercise of the present exercise machine, than in pulling exercises. A machine with a hinge angle A other than 90° feels more stable to a user because it resists lateral movement and encourages a symmetrical stroke. The perception of stability increases as angle A diverges from 90°.
The preferred secondary hinge angle of 115° (as shown in FIG. 3C) has been found by experimentation to produce the most comfortable or natural shoulder press exercise stroke. In particular, the relationship of lateral resistance to longitudinal resistance at this angle seems to provide an effective exercise for the muscles of the shoulders. Further, sufficient lateral resistance is provided so that a user perceives the shoulder press exercise as stable. Other secondary hinge angles could be selected for a shoulder press apparatus based on the comfort, stability, muscular development or exercise goals of a particular group of users to emphasize the longitudinal or lateral resistance to the exercise.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the shoulder press exercise apparatus in the rest position, with the seat and backrest removed, and without weight plates mounted on the posts 62. The front leg 25 is disposed at about 70° from horizontal. The pitch of the leg could be altered to cause the user to recline more or to sit up straighter, thereby changing the effect of the exercise.
The post bracket 63 extends downward from the arm 60 so that, in the rest position, the post 62 is at a level slightly below that of the primary hinge 30. As the handle 61 is raised, the movement of post 62, and any weight plates mounted on it, approximates an arc about the primary hinge 30. Near the rest position, the weight of the plate 23 acts in a direction opposite the path of the weight plates, providing a maximum resistance in the exercise stroke. As the arms move upward through an angle θ (FIG. 5), the component of the weight acting to resist arm motion decreases.
An arm stop shelf 67 is secured to the front leg 25 of the frame 10, and is braced by shelf support 68. The stop shelf is preferably inclined to be perpendicular to the leg. A rubber or elastomer arm stop 59 is mounted to an arm stop bracket 58 (FIG. 1), which is secured to the arm 60 between the hinge mechanism 50 and the weight post bracket 63. In the rest position shown in FIG. 4, the arm stop 59 contacts the arm stop shelf 67, limiting the downward travel of the handles 61 and defining the rest position.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the shoulder press exercise apparatus, with the seat and backrest removed, and without weight plates mounted on the posts 62. The arms are in an elevated position, having lifted the post 62 and any weight thereon to an angle θ above the horizontal. The secondary hinges have rotated upward about the primary hinge. The arm stop 59 is no longer in contact with the stop shelf 67.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the shoulder press exercise machine of the invention in the rest position, with the seat and backrest removed, and with weight plates 23 mounted to the posts 62. The arm stop brackets 58 are provided with rubber or elastomer bumpers 69 on their distal ends. The bumpers may contact each other during the exercise stroke to prevent the handles 61 from coming too close together. Further, during the lower portion of the stroke and in the rest position, the bumpers may contact the top portion of the front leg 25, maintaining the handles 61 at a comfortable starting width in the rest position, while providing sufficient space between the handles for the user to access the seat (see FIG. 7).
An arm strap 53 connects the arms 60 to limit outward travel of the arms during the exercise stroke and in the rest position. The arm strap is preferably KEVLAR® fabric, although other high-strength tethers could be used. Preferably, the strap is held on the arms by a pressure plate 54 that clamps the strap to the arms. The strap is positioned on the arms 60 so that it remains behind the top portion of the front leg 25. During an exercise stroke, outward movement of the arms is thus limited by the strap 53, while inward movement of the arms is limited by the bumpers 69. Alternatively, other mechanisms for limiting arm travel, such as mechanical stops attached to the primary bearing tube, could be used and still practice the invention.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the rest position. The weight posts 62 are inclined upward approximately 25° in order to safely retain the weight plates 23.
To operate the apparatus of the present invention, weight plates are mounted on the posts 62 corresponding to the resistance desired. Preferably, the same weight is placed on each one of the posts. The user adjusts the seat 11 to a suitable position on the leg 25 (FIG. 1). For example, a user with a longer torso will adjust the seat to a lower height such that the handles 61 are positioned at a comfortable starting height for the shoulder press exercise. The user then grasps the handles at a selected position, either in the neutral or barbell grip, and pushes upward. The movement of the handles causes rotation of the arms 60, the secondary bearings 32 and 34 and the brackets 47 about the primary bearing 30. As the arm rotates, it lifts the posts 62 and weights 23. The user then returns the handles to the initial position, thereby lowering the weight plates. When the user pushes the handles upward (concentric action), he overcomes the resistance provided by the weight. When the user returns the handles (eccentric action), he succumbs to the resistance provided by the weight.
A user may choose to emulate a traditional shoulder press exercise by grasping the barbell grip handles 61b in the rest position (a wide hand width) and pressing directly upward while maintaining his hands at a constant width. In this exercise, the arm strap 53 between the arms 60 remains taut, and there is no lateral movement of the handles. As a result, the secondary bearing tubes 33 and 35 are not caused to rotate with respect to the brackets 47. Rather, only the primary bearing tube 31 rotates and the handles follow a path similar to that of traditional machines.
Alternatively, the user may choose a shoulder exercise with an inward lateral component of motion. In this exercise, the user begins the exercise stroke by grasping either the neutral handles 61a or the barbell handles 61b at the rest position and follows a "C" shape, pressing upward at the beginning of the stroke and bringing the handles together in an arcuate path at the end of the stroke. The user encounters resistance in both the longitudinal and lateral components of the concentric portion (i.e., where the muscles contract against the load) of the stroke. In a traditional machine, this would not be possible. In the apparatus of the present invention, however, the hinge mechanism 50 allows such movement.
The outward offset R of the weight plates to the handles (FIG. 6) causes the hinge mechanism 50 to resist the lateral component of movement. It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the axis A--A which passes through the user's grip on the handle 61, can be moved by the user by moving his grip on the handle. This increases or decreases the offset R, which in turn affects the resistance to the lateral component of movement. The user can therefore select, to some extent, the ratio of lateral to longitudinal resistance by his grip placement on the handle 61. Alternatively, spacers, such as cylindrical collars, can be placed on the posts 62 to increase the offset R of the weights to the axis A--A.
Advantageously, the user cannot "lock out" his elbows at the end of the exercise stroke to transfer the load from the muscular system to the skeletal system, as is possible on traditional machines and free weights. In the exercise machine of the invention, the lateral component of the resistance continues to oppose the shoulder muscles even when the user's elbows are straightened.
The hinge mechanism 50 permits movement of the handles 61 upward (i.e., longitudinally) and inward (i.e., laterally) in a relationship selected by the user. Consequently, the user can grasp either set of handles and push upward and inward in the natural arcuate path. Alternatively, the user can select another path to give the muscles a different workout. For example, the user may wish to push directly upward and then move directly downward, emulating the purely longitudinal motion of a traditional shoulder press. The user may instead choose to press his hands directly upward, and then, at the end of the stroke, move his hands in latitudinally while his arms are fully extended. The user may choose to move his hands out latitudinally near the beginning of the stroke, and then push upward longitudinally. The user can even chose a "figure eight" path, moving his hands in, out, in and out again during the exercise stroke. Any combination of such movements can be accomplished with the machine of the present invention.
The user has flexibility in how he exercises the muscles of his shoulders. The resistance overcome by the particular muscle group is determined, in part, by the selected path of the hands and the secondary hinge angle A. The offset R and the secondary hinge angle A are selected to present a combination of lateral resistance and longitudinal resistance that feels comfortable or natural to a typical user moving his hands in an arcuate path. Consequently, the user defines, in part, the resistance profile by his path selection. The double hinge mechanism 50, in combination with the weight placement on the arms, thus provides a fundamental advance over existing exercise machines by establishing a ratio of lateral to longitudinal resistance while encouraging left-to-right hand symmetry in the exercise stroke and allowing the user to select the path of the stroke and the muscle group emphasized.
Since the secondary bearing tubes 33, 35 are both mounted to the primary bearing tube 31 at symmetrical orientations, the hinge mechanism 50 encourages symmetrical movement of the handles 61. Such symmetrical movement, however, is not required. The user can move his hands through different paths during the same exercise stroke. While this configuration is currently the preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be advantageous in some situations to further couple the motion of the arms, as is done in several of the following additional embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 80 and arms 81 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 82 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 83, although they may be oriented at other angles. Flanges 84 are pivotally mounted to each arm, such as by piano hinges 85. The flanges 84 are rotatably mounted to each other, such as by a knuckle joint 86. The arms and flanges constrain the knuckle joint to move within the plane of symmetry S--S between the arms. Since the linkage formed by the primary bearing tube 87, the arms and the flanges is symmetrical, the arms must translate the same amount laterally. Consequently, the arms (and thus the handles) are forced to move symmetrically.
Alternatively, the hinges, flanges and knuckle joint may be constructed of a resilient material such as plastic, elastomer or rubber. For example, the knuckle joint may be a deformable rubber connector, or the hinges, flanges and knuckle may be a one-piece polymer part with reduced cross sections in the areas requiring flexure. Such embodiments encourage symmetric exercise strokes while permitting some left-to-right asymmetry.
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 90 and arms 91 of another embodiment of the invention. Again, the arms are operably engaged such that they must move symmetrically in the lateral direction. The secondary 92 hinges are again shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 93, although other angles of attachment are possible. A slider rod 94 is fixedly mounted to the primary hinge 93. A slider ring 95 is mounted to the slider rod 94 and adapted to be displaceable along its length. Links 96 are pivotally mounted to the slider ring and to each arm 91. Consequently, as the arms are displaced laterally, the slider ring is caused to move along the slider rod. Due to their mutual connection to the slider ring, both arms are caused to move symmetrically about the secondary hinges.
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 100 and arms 101 of another embodiment of the present invention. The secondary hinges 102 are shown mounted perpendicularly to the primary hinge 103, although other attachment angles are possible. A barrel cam 104 having mirrored, grooved profiles 105 is mounted to the primary bearing tube 108 equidistant from both secondary hinges 102. The barrel cam is mounted for rotational movement. A rigid link 106 with a cam follower 107 is pivotally mounted to each arm. As an arm is moved outward, the barrel cam is forced to rotate about its axis, causing the other rigid link to force the other arm to move the same lateral distance.
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 110 and arms 111 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 112 are shown mounted perpendicularly to the primary hinge 113, although other attachment angles are possible. An anchor 114 is rigidly mounted to the primary hinge between the secondary hinges 112. A variable length link 115 engages each arm 111 to the anchor. A resistance mechanism 116, such as a pneumatic, hydraulic, spring, elastic band, electrical or magnetic resistance, is operably engaged to the link 115 to resist any change in length. Consequently, the mechanism provides resistance to lateral movement of the arms 111 during the exercise stroke. Also, the resistance mechanism discourages quick, lateral movement of the arms. The mechanism 110 thus provides resistance to lateral movement both inward and outward, while encouraging a smooth stroke.
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 120 and arms 121 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 122 are shown mounted perpendicular to the primary hinge 123. However, other orientations are possible. Branches 124 are fixedly mounted to the primary bearing tube 129. A pulley 125 is mounted on each branch and disposed in the same plane as its respective arm. Cables or belts 126 are attached to the arms 121, extend over the pulleys 125 and attach to a plate 127. The plate is attached to the primary bearing tube 129 by a resistance 128, which can be a spring, or can be another resistance device such as hydraulic, pneumatic, frictional or electromagnetic. As the arms are displaced laterally, the plate 127 is pulled from the primary hinge. This lateral movement is resisted by the resistance 128. The cables 126 could be attached to the arms 121 to resist outward movement, as shown, or to resist inward movement.
The plate 127 could be journaled in a track, or mounted on rails (not shown), such that the orientation of the plate with respect to the primary hinge is fixed. Consequently, as one arm is displaced laterally, the other arm is free to rotate the same lateral distance.
FIG. 13A is a schematic front elevation view of a weight resistance assembly 130 of an embodiment of the invention including a weight stack 131 as is known in the art. FIG. 13B is a side view of the assembly with the weight stack. In this embodiment, the spring 128 shown in FIG. 12 is replaced by a cable or belt 132. A pulley 133 is mounted on or near the primary hinge to direct the cable or belt for attachment to the weight stack 131. Consequently, to move the arms laterally, the user must pull on the cable or belt, thereby lifting the weight stack. The user thus has the freedom to select the resistance to the lateral movement of the hands. In another version of this embodiment, separate weight stacks are provided to resist the lateral movement of each arm.
FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of a hinge mechanism 140 of another embodiment of the present invention. The secondary hinges 142 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 143, although other orientations could be used. Rigid members 144 are mounted to the primary hinge 143 and disposed in the plane of rotation of the arms 141 about the secondary hinges 142. A resistance means 145, such as a spring, is operably engaged to each arm 141 and its respective rigid member 144. The resistance means resists the lateral movement of the arm outward. The resistance means may be disposed at different points along the arm and the rigid member to vary the lateral resistance. The shape of rigid member 144 or the angle of attachment of the rigid member to the primary hinge 143 may be chosen to further define the resistance profile as means 145 is moved along the arm. The angle of attachment may further be adjustable. The resistance means 145 may be attached to both the arm 141 and the member 144 to operate in both tension and compression, providing bidirectional resistance to lateral arm movement.
FIG. 14A shows another embodiment or the hinge mechanism 140 of FIG. 14, with the resistance means 145 comprising a set of springs 146, 147, 148 mounted to a ring 149. The ring is rotatably mounted to the rigid member 144 such that each spring can be indexed into contact with the arm 141. Each spring 146-148 has a different spring constant and thus provides a different resistance to the lateral movement of the arms.
FIG. 15 shows the hinge mechanism 150 and arms 151 of another embodiment of the present invention. The secondary hinges 152 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 153. A central member 154 is mounted to the primary hinge 153 between the secondary hinges and disposed in the same plane as the arms 151. The angles or shape of the central member may be adjustable. A resistance means 155, such as a spring, is operably engaged to each arm 151 and the central member 154. The resistance means 155 resists the lateral movement of the arm toward the central member. This results in resistance to the lateral displacement of the handles (not shown) toward the center. The resistance means 155 may be moved by the user to different points along the arm and the central member to vary the resistance. Alternatively, a single spring could be mounted to each arm, thereby connecting the arms. FIG. 15A shows the hinge mechanism 150 of FIG. 15 with an alternative resistance means. The resistance means in this embodiment comprises spring pairs 157 and 158 mounted to a ring 159. The ring is rotatable about the rigid member 156 such that a different spring pair may be indexed into contact with the arms. Each spring pair 157 and 158 has a different spring constant and thus provides a different resistance to the lateral movement of the arms 151. The ring 159 may be made displaceable along the length of the rigid member 156 to additionally vary the resistance to lateral movement of the arms 151.
FIG. 16 is a front schematic view of the hinge mechanism 160 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 162 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 163, although other secondary hinge angles are possible. A torsion spring 164 is mounted to the primary hinge 163 near each secondary hinge 162 and operably engaged to the respective arm 161. The torsion spring resists the rotation of the arm about the secondary hinge. The torsion spring may be disposed to resist either inward movement of the arm or outward movement of the arm.
FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of the hinge mechanism 170, arms 171 and handles 172 of another embodiment of the invention. The arms 171 are directly mounted to the primary hinge 173. The handles 172 are pivotally mounted to the arms and adapted to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the arms about a handle peg 175. A spring 174, such as a torsion spring or other resistance mechanism, may resist the rotation of the handle 172 about the handle peg 175.
FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 180 and arms 181 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 182 are shown mounted perpendicular to the primary hinge 183, although other attachment angles are possible and still practice the invention. A large spur gear 184 is fixedly mounted to each arm 181 and adapted to rotate about its respective secondary hinge 182. The teeth of the large spur gears 184 engage each other such that the arms are caused to rotate about their respective secondary hinges together. Consequently, the handles and the user's hands are displaced symmetrically with respect to a central vertical plane. In the case where the secondary hinges are not perpendicular to the primary hinge, the large spur gears could be replaced by bevel gears.
FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 190 and arms 191 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 192 are shown mounted perpendicularly to the primary hinge 193, although other attachment angles are possible. Gears or pinions 194 are attached to each arm 191 and adapted to rotate about the secondary hinges 192 with the respective arm. A rack 195 is operably engaged to the pinions 194, forming a "rack and pinion" system which causes the arms to rotate about their respective secondary hinges 192 symmetrically. Consequently, the arms 191 are forced to move the same lateral distance.
FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 200 and arms 201 of another embodiment of the invention. The secondary hinges 202 are shown disposed perpendicular to the primary hinge 203. The secondary hinges could be disposed at other orientations. A sprocket or pulley 204 is mounted on each secondary hinge 202 and adapted to rotate with the respective arms 201. A chain or belt 205 is looped about the pulleys in a "figure eight" configuration, causing the arms to rotate symmetrically in the lateral direction. Alternately, two chain or belt segments could be used, each following an S-shape, to form the figure eight. The belt may be non-deformable and require completely symmetrical movement of the arms, or may be made of an elastic material which would permit the arms to rotate asymmetrically but would encourage symmetrical movement.
FIG. 21 is a partial schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 210, arms 211 and handles 212 of another embodiment of the invention. The arms are mounted directly to the primary hinge 213. The arms may be angled outward. Handle rods 214 are mounted at the ends of the arms distal to the primary hinge 213. A handle is slidingly mounted to each handle rod. The user is thus free to select the width of his hands during the exercise stroke, even changing the position of the hands. FIGS. 21A-21F show schematic end views of the hinge mechanism 210, in the plane 215 of the arms 211. As shown in FIG. 21A, the handle rod may be oriented within, the plane of the arms, providing a neutral-resistance sliding motion of the handles 212. In this plane, the handle rod may be slanted up away from the arm, slanted down away from the arm or disposed horizontally. Further, the handles may be tilted backward from plane 215, as shown in FIG. 21B, or tilted forward of plane 215, as shown in FIG. 21C, thereby resisting handle movement inward or outward respectively, as this movement raises the arms and acts against the resistance.
As shown in FIGS. 21D, 21E and 21F, a resistance mechanism, such as springs 216-219, can be mounted to the handle rod 214 to oppose the movement of the handle 212 in the lateral direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21D, the resistance mechanism 216 opposes movement of the handles 212 outward. As shown in FIG. 21E, the resistance mechanism 217, 218 opposes movement of the handles 212 both inward and outward. As shown in FIG. 21F, the resistance mechanism 219 opposes movement of the handles 212 inward. The resistance mechanisms 216-219 may be further supplemented by inclining the handle rods 214 as shown in FIGS. 21B and 21C.
FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of the hinge mechanism 220, arms 221 and handles 222 of another embodiment of the invention. The arms 221 are mounted directly to the primary hinge 223. Preferably, the arms are angled outward. Handle rods 224 are mounted at the ends of the arms distal to the primary hinge and disposed on the interior side of the arms. A handle is slidingly mounted to each handle rod. The user is thus free to select the width of his hand position during the exercise stroke, and to vary the position of the hands throughout the exercise pattern. As shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B and 22C, the handle rod may be oriented within the plane 225 of the arms 221, or angled rearward from or forward of plane 225, to provide neutral, inward or outward resistance, respectively, to handle movement.
As shown in FIGS. 22D, 22E and 22F, a resistance mechanism, such as springs 226-229, can be mounted to the handle rod to oppose the movement of the handle in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 22D, the resistance mechanism 226 opposes movement of the handles 222 outward. As shown in FIG. 22E, the resistance mechanism 227, 228 opposes movement of the handles 222 both inward and outward. As shown in FIG. 22F, the resistance mechanism 229 opposes movement of the handles 222 inward. The resistance mechanisms 226-229 may be further supplemented by inclining the handle rods 224 as shown in FIGS. 22B and 22C.
FIG. 23 is a schematic front view of the hinge mechanism 230, arms 231 and handles 232 of another embodiment of the invention. The arms are mounted directly to the primary hinge. The arms may be angled outward. Handle rods 234 are mounted at the ends of the arms 231 distal to the primary hinge 233 and disposed on the exterior side of the arms. The handle rod may be oriented at a horizontal plane, tilted up away from the arm, or tilted down away from the arm. A handle 232 is slidingly mounted to each handle rod 234. A cable 235 is engaged to each handle and is directed, for example, by pulleys 236, 237 and 238 up to the primary hinge 233 and down to a weight stack (see FIGS. 13A and 13B) such that the user may select the resistance to be provided to lateral movement of the arms. As shown in FIG. 23A, a detail view of the handle, the cable 235 is preferably disposed within the handle rod 234 and arm 231 to decrease the chance of the user contacting the cable. The handle rods 234 may alternatively be mounted to the interior side of the arm to provide resistance to inward motion of the arms. Further, the movement of the cables alternatively may be resisted by springs, friction, pneumatic, electric or magnetic resistance or other resistance mechanisms.
FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view of the hinge mechanism 240 and arms 241 and 248 of another embodiment of the invention. A single secondary hinge 242 is mounted perpendicular to the primary hinge 243. An extension 244 is attached to one of the arms 241 opposite the secondary hinge. A pivot plate 245 is slidingly and pivotally mounted at its center 247 to the primary hinge 243. The extension 244 is pivotally mounted to one end of the pivot plate 245. A rigid link 246 is pivotally mounted to the other end of the pivot plate 245 and to the other arm 248. A four-bar linkage is created by the extension 244, the portion of the second arm 248 near the primary hinge, the rigid link 246 and the pivot plate 245. Lateral displacement of one of the arms causes lateral displacement of the other in the opposite direction, via the four bar linkage.
FIG. 25 is a partial schematic view of the hinge mechanism 250 of another embodiment of the present invention that permits the user to select the orientation of the secondary hinges to the primary hinge, respectively. Since the orientation of the secondary hinge to the primary hinge controls the resistance ratio of longitudinal to lateral resistance, the user can employ this embodiment to select a resistance ratio best suited to his exercise needs. The secondary hinges 251 (left secondary hinge only is shown) are mounted to the primary hinge 252 by a variable position rod 253. The arm 254 is mounted to the secondary hinge 251 by U-shaped member 255 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted to the secondary hinge. The orientation of the secondary hinge 251 to the primary hinge 252 is maintained by the engagement of notched or serrated surfaces 256 and 257 mounted to the secondary hinge and the primary hinge. To vary the orientation of the primary hinge to the secondary hinge, the notched surfaces are removed from engagement, such as by loosening a locking mechanism 258 such as a wing nut or cam lock. Once disengaged, the secondary hinge may be rotated to a desired position. The locking mechanism 258 is then tightened, engaging the notched surfaces and locking the secondary hinge in position with respect to the primary hinge. Preferably, both secondary hinges are disposed at the same orientation with respect to the primary hinge such that both arms will require the same force to be displaced laterally.
In certain of the above embodiments of a shoulder press exercise machine, such as that of FIGS. 13A and 13B, a weight stack 131 may be connected to the exercising means by a belt 132 extending over a pulley 133.
FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of a self-aligning pulley 270 for use with an exercise machine, such as the exercise machine of FIGS. 13A and 13B. The pulley is designed to align itself with the belt when either the frame or the belt is not perfectly aligned. Such a self-aligning pulley may be substituted for the traditional pulley used as the weight stack pulley 133 in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.
FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the pulley 270 of FIG. 26, taken through section XXVII--XXVII. The self-aligning pulley 270 has a hub 277 mounted to a bearing 273. As shown in FIG. 26, a channel 278 having side walls 279 and a bottom 280 is disposed at the circumference of the hub 277 and adapted to accept a belt 281. In use, the belt should lie flat against the bottom of the channel. These elements are conventional.
In the self-aligning pulley 270 of FIG. 26, a shaft 271 having a novel design is mounted to the frame 272. The shaft 271 is preferably made from a mild tool steel such as SAE 1018. A bearing 273 is mounted over the shaft such that it is disposed symmetrically about the center of the shaft. The center of the shaft has a crowned portion 274 that presents a convex surface to the bearings. Spacers or locking rings 275 are disposed at the ends of the shaft 271 to prevent the bearing from slipping off the shaft. Alternatively, the shaft could be formed with integral flanges at each end. Wave washers 276, preferably made of hardened steel having some compressibility, are mounted to the shaft and disposed between each spacer 275 and the bearing 273. The wave washers bias the bearing away from the spacers and, thus, operate to urge the bearing toward the center of the convex surface. Other centering devices, such as O-rings, could be substituted for the wave washers. While the self-aligning pulley 270 is shown in FIG. 26 mounted to a cylindrical portion of frame 272, which is fitted to an internal diameter of the shaft 271, the frame could alternatively have bores fitted to the external diameters of the spacers 275 and still practice the invention.
FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of the self-aligning pulley 270 shown correcting for a misalignment. As shown, the frame 272 is misaligned from a horizontal axis 282. However, this apparatus would work equally well if the belt 281 were misaligned. If a traditional pulley were used, the belt 281 would ride, at least in part, on the side wall 279 of the channel 278. When the misalignment is severe, or over long periods of use, the belt would have a tendency to ride up over the side wall 279 completely, such that the belt would be completely out of the channel. The self-aligning pulley, however, compensates for misalignment by tilting about a plane extending through the center of the pulley. When misaligned, the belt 281 exerts a force on the pulley 270 that overcomes the bias of the wave washers 276 and causes the bearing 273 to slide over the crowned portion 274, resulting in the tilting of the pulley. The tilting of the pulley maintains the belt 281 in a flat position against the bottom 280 of the channel. The crowned portion 274, which is a surface of rotation, preferably maintains the pulley in a symmetrical position with respect to the center of the shaft so that the pulley will tilt, rather than simply slide.
By compensating for belt misalignment, the self-aligning pulley 270 reduces maintenance costs by minimizing edge wear on the belt 281 and by reducing side loads on the bearing 273. Furthermore, the self-aligning pulley can reduce manufacturing costs by permitting increased alignment tolerances without sacrificing belt life and smoothness of operation.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an incremental weight stack 70 for use with a selectorized exercise machine, such as the apparatus of FIG. 13. A flange or storage finger 73 (shown partly in phantom) is rigidly mounted to a flange 72, which in turn is attached to a weight stack brace 20 such as by bolting. Slotted holes (not shown) may be provided in the flange 72 for height adjustment. The flange finger extends proximate to the top weight plate 75. A stack or movement finger 74 is mounted to the top of the top weight plate 75. Incremental weights 76, having tracks such as axial bore 79 (shown in phantom) for receiving the fingers 73 and 74, are slidingly mounted on the flange finger 73. When the weight stack is lowered (i.e., in the rest position), the tips of the frame finger 73 and the stack finger 74 are adjacent, almost touching. The incremental weights can be moved from the flange finger to the stack finger as desired. The tips of the fingers 73 and 74 may be rounded to provide for a smooth transfer of the incremental weights 76. Rubber or elastomer bumpers 77 can be mounted to the fingers to restrict the movement of the incremental weights on the fingers. Preferably, both fingers are slanted up toward the tips at approximately 5° from horizontal. This angle retains the incremental weights on the respective fingers while permitting the weights to easily slide from one finger to the other. When the user lifts the weight stack, he also must lift any incremental weights on the stack finger.
The incremental weight stack 70 permits use of heavy plates on the main weight stack 23. For example, each plate on the main stack may weigh 20 pounds. The user selects the desired resistance by placing a pin (not shown) in one of the holes 78 such that when tether 40 displaces the top weight plate 75, the selected number of weight plates from stack 23 are also displaced, as is known in the art. Each incremental weight may be 5 pounds. If three incremental weights are mounted to the flange finger, the user can select the appropriate resistance in five-pound increments by sliding the appropriate number of weights to the stack finger. This allows the user to finely adjust the resistance at any point throughout the weight stack. Further, the manufacturer will save costs in manufacturing and assembling an exercise machine with the incremental weight stack due to the labor saved using a smaller number of plates.
The foregoing is in no way a limitation on the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims:

Claims (44)

I claim:
1. In an exercise machine having an input arm, a frame and a hinge mechanism for mounting the input arm to the frame, apparatus comprising:
a primary hinge rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a primary hinge axis;
a secondary hinge rotatably mounted to the primary hinge for rotation about a secondary hinge axis wherein the arm is mounted to the secondary hinge;
weight means mounted to the arm;
wherein the primary hinge axis and the secondary hinge axis are skew.
2. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 wherein the secondary hinge is a right secondary hinge, the secondary hinge axis is a right secondary hinge axis, and the arm is a right arm, further comprising a left secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge for rotation about a left secondary hinge axis wherein a left arm is mounted to the left secondary hinge.
3. An apparatus for exercising the muscles of the upper torso of a user comprising:
a frame;
a primary hinge mounted to the frame;
a left secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge at a first selected orientation;
a left arm mounted to the left secondary hinge;
a left weight means mounted to the left arm;
a right secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge at a second selected orientation, said second selected orientation being differently oriented from said first selected orientation;
a right arm mounted to the right secondary hinge; and
a right weight means mounted to the right arm.
4. An apparatus for exercising the muscles of the torso of a user by resisting displacement of the user's limb comprising:
a frame;
means for engaging the user's limb such that displacement of the user's limb causes displacement of the engagement means;
means for mounting the engagement means to the frame for rotation about at least two axes, said at least two axes being skew in relation to one another so as to provide a lateral resistance component to the displacement of the engagement means; and
a weight mounted to the engagement means.
5. An apparatus for exercising muscles of a user comprising:
a frame;
a primary hinge mounted to the frame;
a secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge in a skew orientation;
an arm mounted to the secondary hinge;
a handle mounted to the arm distal to the secondary hinge; and
means for resisting the displacement of the handle, said resisting means being mounted to the arm.
6. The apparatus for exercising of claim 5 further comprising a user support mounted to said frame.
7. The apparatus for exercising of claim 6 wherein the primary hinge is positioned on the frame behind the user support.
8. The apparatus for exercising of claim 5 further comprising a post mounted to the arm wherein the resisting means comprises a weight plate mounted to the post.
9. The apparatus for exercising of claim 8, wherein the weight plate is offset outward from the handle.
10. The apparatus for exercising of claim 8, further comprising a spacer on the post for spacing the weight plate outward.
11. The apparatus for exercising of claim 5 wherein the secondary hinge is oriented at 115 degrees with respect to the primary hinge.
12. The apparatus for exercising of claim 5 wherein the secondary hinge is a first secondary hinge, the arm is a first arm and the handle is a first handle, further comprising:
a second secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge in a skew orientation;
a second arm mounted to the second secondary hinge; and
a second handle mounted to the second arm distal to the second secondary hinge.
13. An apparatus for exercising the muscles of the upper torso of a user comprising:
a frame having a front end and a rear end;
a seat mounted to the frame at the front end;
a backrest mounted to the front end of the frame and disposed above and in back of the seat;
a primary hinge mounted to the frame and disposed above the seat which primary hinge has a primary axis of rotation;
a secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge which secondary hinge has a secondary axis of rotation, said secondary axis of rotation being skew to said primary axis of rotation;
an arm mounted to the secondary hinge wherein the arm is displaceable from an initial position;
a handle mounted to the arm distal to the secondary hinge such that the handle is disposed in front of the backrest when the arm is in the initial position; and
means mounted to the arm for resisting the displacement of the arm.
14. The apparatus for exercising of claim 13 wherein the secondary hinge is a first secondary hinge, the arm is a first arm and the handle is a first handle, further comprising:
a second secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge;
a second arm mounted to the second secondary hinge wherein the second arm is displaceable from an initial position; and
a second handle mounted to the second arm distal to the second secondary hinge.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising means for constraining the displacement of the arms such that the first arm and the second arm move symmetrically.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the resistance means comprises a weight mounted to the arm.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the resistance means is offset outward from the handle.
18. An apparatus for performing a shoulder press comprising:
a frame having a front end and a rear end;
a seat mounted to the front end of the frame;
a backrest mounted to the frame and disposed above the seat;
a primary bearing tube rotatably mounted to the frame which primary bearing tube is rotatable about a primary axis and disposed above the seat;
a bracket rigidly mounted to the primary bearing tube;
a secondary bearing tube rotatably mounted to the bracket which secondary bearing tube is rotatable about a secondary axis wherein the primary axis and the secondary axis are skew;
an arm rigidly mounted to the secondary bearing tube;
a handle mounted to the arm distal to the secondary bearing tube and positioned in front of the backrest and directly above the seat; and
a post mounted to the arm proximal to the handle for mounting weight plates.
19. An apparatus for exercising the muscles of the upper torso of a user comprising:
a frame;
a primary hinge mounted to the frame;
a left secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge in a skew orientation;
a left arm mounted to the left secondary hinge;
a left weight means mounted to the left arm;
a right secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge in a skew orientation;
a right arm mounted to the right secondary hinge; and
a right weight means mounted to the right arm.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a right flange rotatably mounted to the right arm;
a left flange rotatably mounted to the left arm; and
a knuckle joint rotatably connecting the right flange to the left flange.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said left and right weight means each comprise at least one weight plate.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a slide rod mounted to the primary hinge;
a slide ring mounted to the slide rod and adapted to slide along the length of the slide rod;
a left link pivotally mounted to the left arm and pivotally mounted to the slide ring; and
a right link pivotally mounted to the right arm and pivotally mounted to the slide ring.
23. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a barrel cam rotatably mounted to the primary hinge and disposed between the arms;
a left link pivotally mounted to the left arm and operably engaged to the barrel cam by a cam follower; and
a right link pivotally mounted to the right arm and operably engaged to the barrel cam by a cam follower wherein the lateral displacement of an arm causes the barrel cam to rotate which, in turn, causes the other arm to be displaced an equal lateral distance.
24. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a left gear fixedly mounted to the left arm; and
a right gear fixedly mounted to the right arm wherein the left gear and the right gear are operably engaged such that the right arm and the left arm rotate the same amount about their respective secondary hinges.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a rack gear which is operably engaged to the left gear and the right gear.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising right teeth mounted at the periphery of the right gear and left teeth mounted at the periphery of the left gear wherein the right teeth are directly engaged to the left teeth.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a belt operably engaged to the left gear and the right gear.
28. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising at least one torsion spring fixedly mounted to the primary hinge and at least one arm.
29. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising an anchor mounted to the primary hinge;
at least a first variable-length link pivotally mounted to at least one arm and pivotally mounted to the anchor such that the variable-length link changes length when the arm is rotated about its secondary hinge and a means for resisting the change in length of the first variable-length link.
30. A method of exercising a user's muscles with a machine in which resistance is provided to the lateral movement and the longitudinal movement of an input mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:
mounting a weight on the input mechanism to resist displacement;
engaging a body part of the user to the input mechanism;
displacing the input mechanism including selecting the lateral movement and the longitudinal movement of the input mechanism so as to rotate said input mechanism about at least two axes, wherein said at least two axes are skew in relation to one another, and overcoming the weight; and
displacing the input mechanism while succumbing to the weight.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of selecting the resistance includes selecting a lateral resistance component and a longitudinal resistance component.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of selecting the lateral resistance component comprises selecting a location on the input mechanism to engage the body part of the user.
33. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of selecting the lateral resistance component comprises engaging a weight to a handle and wherein the step of displacing the input mechanism comprises moving the handle.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of engaging a weight to a handle comprises:
selecting a main weight from a main weight stack; and
selecting an incremental weight by sliding the incremental weight from a frame finger to a moveable finger mounted to the main weight stack.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein the weight is engaged to the handle by a belt, and further wherein the belt is journaled on a self-aligning pulley.
36. The method of claim 30 wherein the input mechanism comprises an arm mounted to a hinge mechanism and wherein a post is provided on the arm for mounting the weight.
37. The method of claim 30 wherein the machine includes an arm mounted to a secondary hinge, which secondary hinge is mounted to a primary hinge at an orientation, further comprising the step of selecting the orientation of the primary hinge to the secondary hinge.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of selecting the orientation includes rotating the secondary hinge about a pivot mounted to the primary hinge and engaging a toothed surface on the primary hinge to a toothed surface on the secondary hinge.
39. The method of claim 30 wherein engaging the body part comprises grasping handles disposed at about the height of a user's shoulders and wherein the step of displacing the input mechanism comprises pressing the handles upward away from the user's shoulders.
40. A method for exercising muscles of the upper torso of a user with an apparatus having a primary hinge mounted to a frame, a secondary hinge mounted to the primary hinge in a skew orientation, an arm mounted to the secondary hinge, and a handle mounted to the arm distal to the secondary hinge, the method comprising:
mounting a selected amount of weight to the arm;
grasping the handle;
pressing the handle upward;
selecting a path of handle motion having a lateral motion component and a longitudinal motion component;
rotating the primary hinge; and
overcoming the selected amount of weight over the path of the handle motion.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of pressing away the handle includes rotating the secondary hinge.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of rotating the secondary hinge causes the primary hinge to rotate.
43. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of overcoming the resistance comprises:
overcoming resistance to the lateral motion component; and
overcoming resistance to the longitudinal motion component.
44. The method of claim 40, further comprising selecting a position on the handle to grasp.
US08/401,707 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise Expired - Fee Related US5667464A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/401,707 US5667464A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise
PCT/US1996/002373 WO1996026765A1 (en) 1995-03-01 1996-02-26 Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise
EP96907086A EP0956105A4 (en) 1995-03-01 1996-02-26 Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/396,670 US5620402A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-01 Rear deltoid and rowing exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/401,707 US5667464A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/396,670 Continuation-In-Part US5620402A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-01 Rear deltoid and rowing exercise machine and method of exercising

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5667464A true US5667464A (en) 1997-09-16

Family

ID=23568173

Family Applications (7)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/396,670 Expired - Lifetime US5620402A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-01 Rear deltoid and rowing exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/399,136 Expired - Lifetime US5580341A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-06 Shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/399,581 Expired - Lifetime US5643152A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-07 Chest press exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/401,203 Expired - Fee Related US5616107A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-09 Method and apparatus for leg press exercise with counterbalance
US08/401,708 Expired - Lifetime US5788614A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Plate-loaded chest press exercise machine and method of exercise
US08/401,816 Expired - Lifetime US5597375A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Lat pulldown exercise machine and method of exercise
US08/401,707 Expired - Fee Related US5667464A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise

Family Applications Before (6)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/396,670 Expired - Lifetime US5620402A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-01 Rear deltoid and rowing exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/399,136 Expired - Lifetime US5580341A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-06 Shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/399,581 Expired - Lifetime US5643152A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-07 Chest press exercise machine and method of exercising
US08/401,203 Expired - Fee Related US5616107A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-09 Method and apparatus for leg press exercise with counterbalance
US08/401,708 Expired - Lifetime US5788614A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Plate-loaded chest press exercise machine and method of exercise
US08/401,816 Expired - Lifetime US5597375A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-10 Lat pulldown exercise machine and method of exercise

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (7) US5620402A (en)
EP (1) EP0812227A1 (en)
AU (1) AU5415696A (en)
WO (1) WO1996026767A1 (en)

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5810701A (en) * 1997-06-17 1998-09-22 Northland Industries, Inc. Motion translation arrangement for exercise machine
US20030092543A1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-05-15 Cybex International, Inc. Upper torso exercise machine
KR20030047135A (en) * 2001-12-04 2003-06-18 최윤석 3-D strength exercise equipment
US20030144116A1 (en) * 2002-01-30 2003-07-31 Kenneth Carter Exercise machine for exercising upper body portions
US20030158019A1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-08-21 Raymond Giannelli Upper torso exercise machine
US20040162194A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-19 Habing Douglas J. Exercise machine with adjustable range of motion
US20040162198A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-19 Towley Carl K. Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US20040162195A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-19 Habing Douglas J. Single apparatus converging/diverging exercise machine
GB2402889A (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-12-22 Precor Inc Press station with adjustable, various path features
US20050035338A1 (en) * 2003-06-19 2005-02-17 Panzarella Thomas A. Roller assembly for a lifting device for a personal-transportation vehicle
KR100485211B1 (en) * 2001-12-12 2005-04-25 최윤석 3 Dimensional sporting equipment for anaerobic exercise
US6913565B2 (en) * 2001-06-20 2005-07-05 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Biceps curl machine
US20050277520A1 (en) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-15 Richard Van Waes Adjustable hand grip for exercise machine
US20060128535A1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-06-15 Nautilus, Inc. Arm assembly for exercise devices
US7070543B1 (en) 2002-09-03 2006-07-04 Randy Rindfleisch Exercise machine with leverage arm
US7070546B1 (en) 2002-07-05 2006-07-04 Joseph Grasso Exercise apparatus including multiple function aspects and small footprint
US7070544B1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2006-07-04 Randy Rindfleisch Isolation exercise machine with leverage arm
US20080096734A1 (en) * 2006-09-08 2008-04-24 Taylor Clifton T Exercise Apparatus
US20080096735A1 (en) * 2006-07-24 2008-04-24 Tuffstuff Fitness Equipment Inc. Mechanism for adjustable arms and seat pad apparatus and method
US20080227606A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-09-18 Mario Fedriga Gymnastic machine
US20080277558A1 (en) * 2007-05-07 2008-11-13 Litwin Christopher J Adjustable Support Device
US20090017998A1 (en) * 2005-06-11 2009-01-15 David Duncan Exercise apparatus
US20100009818A1 (en) * 2008-07-09 2010-01-14 Tom Simonson Multi Axes Exercise Apparatus
USD613350S1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2010-04-06 Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd. Exercise apparatus
US20100187054A1 (en) * 2009-01-26 2010-07-29 Joong Chenn Industry Co., Ltd. Damping assembly for exercise apparatus
US7922635B2 (en) 2000-03-10 2011-04-12 Nautilus, Inc. Adjustable-load unitary multi-position bench exercise unit
US20110092343A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2011-04-21 Habing Douglas J Single Apparatus Converging/Diverging Exercise Machine
US20130217546A1 (en) * 2012-02-21 2013-08-22 Gordon M. Heideman Adjustable exercise apparatus
US9636540B2 (en) 2015-03-10 2017-05-02 True Fitness Technology, Inc. Adjustable stride elliptical motion exercise machine with large stride variability and fast adjustment
US20180272178A1 (en) * 2017-03-27 2018-09-27 Core Health & Fitness, Llc Apparatus, System, and Method for Exercise Equipment with Carry Arms
US10212994B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-02-26 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Smart watch band
US10493349B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2019-12-03 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Display on exercise device
US10625114B2 (en) 2016-11-01 2020-04-21 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Elliptical and stationary bicycle apparatus including row functionality
US10625137B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2020-04-21 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Coordinated displays in an exercise device
US10814165B2 (en) 2017-11-06 2020-10-27 Angus Lochhead Shoulder exercise machine
US11229822B1 (en) * 2018-11-06 2022-01-25 Fusion Fitness Designs, LLC Fitness machine
US11285360B2 (en) 2017-11-06 2022-03-29 Angus Lochhead Shoulder exercise machine

Families Citing this family (192)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6090020A (en) * 1991-02-20 2000-07-18 Webber; Randall T. Constant tension exercise device
US5683334A (en) * 1995-01-18 1997-11-04 Webber; Randall T. Exercise apparatus with multi-exercise press station
US6500106B1 (en) * 1996-06-21 2002-12-31 Kent Fulks Method and apparatus for mechanical emulation of dumbbells
US5776040A (en) * 1996-08-02 1998-07-07 Nautilus International, Inc. Auxiliary weight system for exercise apparatus
US5720695A (en) * 1997-01-22 1998-02-24 Sportworks, Ltd. Weight augmentation device
EP0862931A3 (en) * 1997-02-26 1999-06-02 Cybex International, Inc. Rear deltoid exercise machine and method of exercise
CA2235650A1 (en) * 1997-07-16 1999-01-16 Yong S. Chu Exercise machine press arm
US6921356B1 (en) * 1997-07-16 2005-07-26 Precor Incorporated Exercise machine press arm
US5961425A (en) * 1998-03-12 1999-10-05 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Jump rope device
US6387019B1 (en) 1998-09-08 2002-05-14 Mark A. Krull Methods and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
US6183401B1 (en) 1998-09-08 2001-02-06 Mark A. Krull Method and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
US5944642A (en) * 1998-09-08 1999-08-31 Krull; Mark A. Methods and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
CA2215428C (en) * 1999-02-08 2006-11-28 Andrew James Mcquinn Total trunk traction exerciser
US6193635B1 (en) 1999-06-22 2001-02-27 Hoist Fitness Systems Weight stack apparatus for exercise machine
US6234941B1 (en) 1999-10-12 2001-05-22 Yong Suk Chu Combination press and fly motions exercise apparatus
US6387018B1 (en) 1999-10-15 2002-05-14 Mark A. Krull Methods and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
US6436013B1 (en) 1999-10-28 2002-08-20 Mark A. Krull Method and apparatus for adjustings resistance to exercise
US6296594B1 (en) 1999-11-10 2001-10-02 The Simonson Family Limited Partnership Rlllp Quad/hamstring exercise apparatus
US6409637B1 (en) * 1999-11-23 2002-06-25 Hoist Fitness Systems Weight stack frame
USD431615S (en) * 2000-01-10 2000-10-03 Hoist Fitness Systems Leg press exercise machine
US6264588B1 (en) 2000-01-20 2001-07-24 Joseph K. Ellis Composite motion machine
US6287241B1 (en) 2000-01-20 2001-09-11 Metal Resources, Inc. Leg press with composite motion
US6482135B1 (en) * 2000-02-07 2002-11-19 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Apparatus and methods for exercise machines having balancing loads
US6579213B1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2003-06-17 Hoist Fitness Systems Exercise arm assembly for exercise machine
US7563214B2 (en) 2000-02-29 2009-07-21 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Exercise arm assembly for exercise machine
US6743158B2 (en) * 2000-03-01 2004-06-01 Cybex Interational, Inc. Leg press
US6770017B1 (en) * 2000-03-21 2004-08-03 Strive Enterprises, Inc. Weight training machine
UA54552C2 (en) * 2000-03-31 2003-03-17 В'ячеслав Володимирович Євмінов Gymnastic training device designed by yevminov and method for preventing and treating backbone deformities and generative diseases
US7220221B2 (en) * 2000-05-03 2007-05-22 Nautilus, Inc. Exercise device with body extension mechanism
US7108641B2 (en) * 2000-05-03 2006-09-19 Nautilus, Inc. Exercise equipment with multi-positioning handles
US20020052268A1 (en) * 2000-05-03 2002-05-02 Vicente Morcillo-Quintero Exercise machine providing for natural movement
US6387021B1 (en) * 2000-06-28 2002-05-14 George H. Miller, Jr. Incremental weights
US6719672B1 (en) 2000-11-16 2004-04-13 Northland Industries, Inc. Dual weight stack exercising machine with coupling arrangement
DE10101214C2 (en) * 2001-01-11 2002-12-05 Oped Ag Steinhausen Therapy and training device for the shoulder joint
US6561960B2 (en) 2001-01-22 2003-05-13 Randall T. Webber Exercise arm apparatus for exercise machine
US6491609B2 (en) 2001-01-30 2002-12-10 Randall T. Webber Exercise arm apparatus with pivotal linkage system
US7316634B2 (en) * 2001-01-30 2008-01-08 Webber Randall T Exercise arm apparatus with pivotal linkage system
US6746378B2 (en) * 2001-06-08 2004-06-08 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Lat pulldown weight training machine
US6830542B2 (en) * 2001-06-08 2004-12-14 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Rowing weight training machine
US7029427B2 (en) * 2001-06-20 2006-04-18 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Weight training machine for exercising the upper chest muscles
CA2458841C (en) * 2001-08-28 2010-11-16 John Michael Schopf Exercise apparatus
US6676574B1 (en) * 2001-10-25 2004-01-13 Brunswick Corporation Shift position selector for a pad on an exercise machine
US20030092541A1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-05-15 Cybex International, Inc. Torso exercise machine
US7335139B2 (en) * 2001-11-13 2008-02-26 Cybex International, Inc. Incremental weight system
US6905446B2 (en) * 2002-01-17 2005-06-14 Darrell Greenland Exercise device
US7112162B2 (en) * 2002-01-17 2006-09-26 Darrell Greenland Exercise machine
EP1334750A1 (en) 2002-02-08 2003-08-13 Simon Alan Hogg Exercise apparatus
US8944969B2 (en) * 2002-03-04 2015-02-03 Cybex International, Inc. Rowing machine
KR20030086882A (en) * 2002-05-06 2003-11-12 최윤석 3-D Strength Exercise Equipment
US7052444B2 (en) * 2002-06-12 2006-05-30 Webber Randall T Composite motion exercise machine
US7004890B2 (en) * 2002-07-10 2006-02-28 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Leg press weight training machine
US7070545B2 (en) * 2002-07-01 2006-07-04 Nautilus, Inc. Leg press and abdominal crunch exercise machine
US6916278B2 (en) * 2002-07-12 2005-07-12 Randall T. Webber Composite motion exercise machine with movable linkage system
US7063038B1 (en) 2002-09-18 2006-06-20 John Bilos Rowing seat
US6811506B2 (en) * 2002-10-17 2004-11-02 General Motors Corporation Engine accessory belt drive with self-aligning pulley
US6971978B2 (en) * 2002-12-12 2005-12-06 Matthews Production Company, Inc. Body weight gravity apparatus
US7004891B2 (en) * 2003-03-06 2006-02-28 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Inclined leg press weight training machine
US7101327B1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2006-09-05 Brunswick Corporation Exercise device with adjustable press arm
US7101323B1 (en) * 2003-03-31 2006-09-05 Brunswick Corporation Tracking pulley eccentric hub insert for exercise apparatus
WO2004096376A1 (en) * 2003-04-23 2004-11-11 Solow Howard J Foldable transportable multiple function pilates exercise apparatus and method
US7591770B2 (en) * 2003-06-18 2009-09-22 Precor Incorporated Press station with add-on weights
US7594880B2 (en) * 2003-08-04 2009-09-29 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Self-aligning pivoting seat exercise machine
US7981010B1 (en) 2003-08-04 2011-07-19 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Exercise machine with multi-function user engagement device
US7993251B1 (en) 2003-08-04 2011-08-09 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Pectoral fly exercise machine
US7549949B2 (en) 2003-08-04 2009-06-23 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Chest press exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support
US7654940B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2010-02-02 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Arm exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support
US7794371B2 (en) 2003-08-04 2010-09-14 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Lat exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support
US7563209B2 (en) 2006-09-05 2009-07-21 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Leg exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting seat
US7086999B2 (en) * 2003-10-22 2006-08-08 Jeff Jeneve Bar with sliding handgrips for resistance exercise device
US7335140B2 (en) * 2003-10-31 2008-02-26 Hoist Fitness Systems Triceps dip exercise machine
US7361125B2 (en) * 2003-11-03 2008-04-22 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Rigid arm pull down exercise machine
US7331911B2 (en) * 2003-11-03 2008-02-19 Hoist Fitness Systems Shoulder press exercise machine
US20060160677A1 (en) * 2003-12-15 2006-07-20 Bvp Holding, Inc. Exercise apparatus
ITCZ20040001A1 (en) * 2004-01-26 2004-04-26 Salvatore Carbone GYMNASTIC TOOL FOR TRAINING OF PECTORAL, DELTOID, TRAPEZI AND TRICEPS MUSCLES
US20050272575A1 (en) * 2004-03-19 2005-12-08 Gianluca Melegati Exercise machine and method for exercising the musculature of a limb that can be carried out through such a machine
EP1588744A1 (en) * 2004-04-20 2005-10-26 Simon Alan Bowman Exercise apparatus
US7125370B1 (en) * 2004-05-12 2006-10-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Exercise apparatus
JP3641482B1 (en) * 2004-05-27 2005-04-20 バンドー化学株式会社 Belt transmission system
US7922631B2 (en) * 2004-08-05 2011-04-12 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Apparatus and methods for adjustable supports for exercise machines
US8512212B2 (en) * 2004-08-05 2013-08-20 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Adjustable press arm apparatus and methods for exercise machines
US7303514B2 (en) * 2004-08-05 2007-12-04 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Apparatus and methods for moveable exercise benches
US7322906B2 (en) * 2004-08-13 2008-01-29 Webber Randall T Exercise arm assembly for exercise machine
US20060084555A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-20 Baylor University Variable resistance flexion and extension exercise machine
US20060183606A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Parmater Kim M Method and apparatus for targeting abdominal muscles while receiving a cardiovascular workout
US7104934B1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2006-09-12 John Patrick Smith Hand exercise device
US20060293153A1 (en) * 2005-06-28 2006-12-28 Porth Timothy J Exercise equipment with convergent hand grips
TWM281662U (en) * 2005-08-19 2005-12-01 Ching-Lian Huang Exercise machine
US7476184B1 (en) * 2005-10-20 2009-01-13 Roger Batca Exercise machine with independently adjustable arms
US7329197B2 (en) * 2005-10-24 2008-02-12 Gearhart Robert M Self-aligning pulley, gear or other rotational member
US7918771B2 (en) 2006-01-05 2011-04-05 Rogers Athletic Company Weightlifting system with omni directional weight arms
US7641602B2 (en) * 2006-01-05 2010-01-05 Rogers Athletic Company Weightlifting system with positionable handles
US20070160803A1 (en) * 2006-01-12 2007-07-12 Tuffstuff Fitness Equipment Inc. Versatile exercise machine
US20070161471A1 (en) * 2006-01-12 2007-07-12 Tuffstuff Fitness Equipment, Inc. Exercise apparatus and method with articulating arms
JP4234719B2 (en) * 2006-02-09 2009-03-04 株式会社コナミスポーツ&ライフ Training equipment
US7722513B2 (en) * 2006-03-10 2010-05-25 Dream Visions, Llc Dual back pad tilting mechanism
JP4150406B2 (en) * 2006-04-27 2008-09-17 株式会社コナミスポーツ&ライフ Training equipment
US7645216B2 (en) * 2006-05-17 2010-01-12 Kurt William Edeker Dual cam exercise device method and apparatus
US20070270287A1 (en) * 2006-05-17 2007-11-22 Mcdonnell Neil Tug-O-War Exercise Machine
US7998036B2 (en) * 2006-08-24 2011-08-16 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Functional training exercise apparatus and methods
US7670269B2 (en) 2006-09-05 2010-03-02 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Chest press exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support
CA2612426C (en) * 2006-11-27 2016-03-29 Neil M. Cole Training system and method
US7530936B1 (en) * 2006-12-08 2009-05-12 Hall Antony A Exercise machine
US7794372B1 (en) 2007-08-02 2010-09-14 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Leg press exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting seat
ES2389695T3 (en) 2007-11-09 2012-10-30 Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. Exercise table
US7871357B2 (en) * 2007-12-20 2011-01-18 Precor Incorporated Weight stack selector
US7708672B2 (en) * 2007-12-20 2010-05-04 Precor Incorporated Incremental weight and selector
US7815554B2 (en) * 2007-12-20 2010-10-19 Precor Incorporated Weight stack selector
US7775951B2 (en) * 2007-12-28 2010-08-17 Chu Yong S Integrated leg press for gym
US7938760B1 (en) 2008-10-17 2011-05-10 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Exercise machine with lifting arm
EP2228102B1 (en) * 2009-03-10 2012-05-30 Thulin, Mats Adjustment device for a training machine
US7927261B2 (en) * 2009-05-07 2011-04-19 Justin Fisher Boxer-fly exercise apparatus
US20100323852A1 (en) * 2009-06-19 2010-12-23 Locsin Dwight D Yoke training system
US8371520B2 (en) * 2009-07-31 2013-02-12 William Craig Easter Rapidly convertible hybrid aircraft and manufacturing method
JP5567936B2 (en) * 2009-08-24 2014-08-06 是吉興業株式会社 Training equipment
ITRA20090045A1 (en) * 2009-11-27 2011-05-28 Technogym Spa SECURITY DEVICE
US8177693B2 (en) * 2010-02-25 2012-05-15 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Calf exercise machine with rocking user support
US8734304B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2014-05-27 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Low back exercise machine with rocking user support
US8562496B2 (en) * 2010-03-05 2013-10-22 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Thigh exercise machine with rocking user support
CN201719760U (en) * 2010-04-30 2011-01-26 曾俊明 Swing arm multifunctional trainer
ITRA20100014A1 (en) * 2010-05-04 2011-11-05 Technogym Spa GINNICA MACHINE
AU2011349541B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2015-02-26 Joseph K Ellis Weight training machines
EP2686077B1 (en) 2011-03-16 2020-06-24 Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. Improved exercise table
US8702573B2 (en) 2011-04-27 2014-04-22 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Glute exercise machine with rocking user support
TWI601555B (en) 2011-11-02 2017-10-11 約翰 包德賀 Improved exercise table
TWI451891B (en) * 2012-03-06 2014-09-11 Chiu Hsiang Lo Weight training machine counterweight means
US9186537B2 (en) 2013-01-03 2015-11-17 Precor Incorporated Incremental weight and selector
EP2969058B1 (en) 2013-03-14 2020-05-13 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods
USD785107S1 (en) 2015-10-14 2017-04-25 Dtip.Llc Incline bench press bench with foot pedals
US9878201B1 (en) 2013-06-06 2018-01-30 Michael Moschel Exercise equipment and methods of using the same
US9545540B1 (en) 2013-06-06 2017-01-17 Dtip.Llc Exercise equipment and methods of using the same
US9919183B1 (en) 2013-06-06 2018-03-20 Michael Moschel Exercise equipment and methods of using the same
USD784465S1 (en) 2015-10-14 2017-04-18 Dtip.Llc Incline bench press bench with foot pedals
USD785732S1 (en) 2015-10-14 2017-05-02 Dtip .Llc Bench press bench with foot pedals
US10143875B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2018-12-04 Michael Moschel Exercise Equipment and methods of using the same
USD783741S1 (en) 2015-10-14 2017-04-11 Dtip.Llc Shoulder press bench with foot pedals
US9993683B2 (en) * 2013-06-06 2018-06-12 Michael Moschel Upper body exercise equipment with lower body pedals and methods of using the same
US10149999B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2018-12-11 Michael Moschel Lower body exercise equipment with upper body pedals and methods of using the same
EP3623020A1 (en) 2013-12-26 2020-03-18 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Magnetic resistance mechanism in a cable machine
WO2015138339A1 (en) 2014-03-10 2015-09-17 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Pressure sensor to quantify work
US10166435B2 (en) 2014-03-11 2019-01-01 Cybex International, Inc. Back extension exercise apparatus
CN106457016A (en) 2014-03-11 2017-02-22 赛百斯国际健身器材有限公司 Back extension exercise apparatus
WO2015148925A1 (en) * 2014-03-28 2015-10-01 Specialty Fitness Systems, Llc Adjustable cam for exercise equipment
WO2015187393A1 (en) 2014-06-02 2015-12-10 Edge Prototype LLC Exercise lifting bar with translating hand grips
WO2015191445A1 (en) 2014-06-09 2015-12-17 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Cable system incorporated into a treadmill
US9452310B2 (en) * 2014-08-08 2016-09-27 Jeffery Alan Broffman Standup paddle board core activator
TWI531394B (en) * 2014-09-05 2016-05-01 國立臺北科技大學 Lat pulldown fitness device
US9999796B2 (en) 2014-09-12 2018-06-19 Specialty Fitness Systems, Llc Supplemental weight stack for an exercise machine
US10258828B2 (en) 2015-01-16 2019-04-16 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Controls for an exercise device
US9782620B2 (en) * 2015-03-27 2017-10-10 Victor A. Morales Barbell
US10940360B2 (en) 2015-08-26 2021-03-09 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Strength exercise mechanisms
TWI644702B (en) 2015-08-26 2018-12-21 美商愛康運動與健康公司 Strength exercise mechanisms
US10953305B2 (en) 2015-08-26 2021-03-23 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Strength exercise mechanisms
CN108472529B (en) * 2015-08-28 2021-03-30 豪埃斯特健康体系股份有限公司 Convertible bench and vertical stable support
US10434360B1 (en) 2015-10-12 2019-10-08 Eric Hosfeld Multi-joint exercise machine
US10272317B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2019-04-30 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Lighted pace feature in a treadmill
US10561894B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2020-02-18 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Treadmill with removable supports
US10293211B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2019-05-21 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Coordinated weight selection
US10441840B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2019-10-15 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Collapsible strength exercise machine
US10252109B2 (en) 2016-05-13 2019-04-09 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Weight platform treadmill
US10471299B2 (en) 2016-07-01 2019-11-12 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Systems and methods for cooling internal exercise equipment components
US10441844B2 (en) 2016-07-01 2019-10-15 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Cooling systems and methods for exercise equipment
USD865878S1 (en) * 2016-07-27 2019-11-05 Nord Group S.P.A. Fitness equipment
US10500473B2 (en) 2016-10-10 2019-12-10 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Console positioning
US10376736B2 (en) 2016-10-12 2019-08-13 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Cooling an exercise device during a dive motor runway condition
US10661114B2 (en) 2016-11-01 2020-05-26 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Body weight lift mechanism on treadmill
TWI646997B (en) 2016-11-01 2019-01-11 美商愛康運動與健康公司 Distance sensor for console positioning
TWI680782B (en) 2016-12-05 2020-01-01 美商愛康運動與健康公司 Offsetting treadmill deck weight during operation
JP6675575B1 (en) 2017-03-07 2020-04-01 スペシャルティ フィットネス システムズ,エルエルシーSpecialty Fitness Systems, LLC Cam mechanism for torque adjustment without cable slack
TWI722450B (en) 2017-08-16 2021-03-21 美商愛康運動與健康公司 System for opposing axial impact loading in a motor
CN107989028B (en) * 2017-12-01 2023-08-01 徐少钢 Portable mechanical combined overground fixed pile device
US10729965B2 (en) 2017-12-22 2020-08-04 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Audible belt guide in a treadmill
CA3093690C (en) 2018-03-19 2021-06-29 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Flip and grip handle system for lateral pulldown exercise machine
EP3866938B1 (en) * 2018-10-17 2023-06-07 Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc. Adjustable position gripping handle assembly for exercise machines
US11077337B1 (en) 2019-01-09 2021-08-03 Lawrence Majkrzak Chest peak contractor
US11173339B2 (en) * 2019-06-27 2021-11-16 Life Fitness, Llc Exercise apparatus and assemblies facilitating removable attachment of a resistance device to an exercise apparatus
USD949262S1 (en) * 2020-01-16 2022-04-19 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Shroud of a fitness equipment unit
USD952075S1 (en) 2020-01-16 2022-05-17 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Leg press exercise machine
USD952076S1 (en) 2020-01-16 2022-05-17 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Leg curl exercise machine
USD952072S1 (en) 2020-01-16 2022-05-17 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Bicep curl exercise machine
USD949263S1 (en) 2020-01-16 2022-04-19 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Weight stack selector elements of an exercise machine
USD952074S1 (en) 2020-01-16 2022-05-17 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Leg extension exercise machine
USD952077S1 (en) 2020-01-16 2022-05-17 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Rear, delt and pec fly exercise machine
USD952073S1 (en) * 2020-01-16 2022-05-17 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Chest press exercise machine
USD952777S1 (en) * 2020-01-16 2022-05-24 Peloton Interactive, Inc. Abdominal exercise machine
US11331536B1 (en) * 2020-04-30 2022-05-17 Kelly Wood Isokinetic rotational testing, evaluation and training system
US11642566B2 (en) * 2020-07-22 2023-05-09 Joseph K. Ellis Adjustable four-bar linkage assembly exercise station
US11517785B1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2022-12-06 Nicole Nolan Exercise machine system and method of use
US11896867B1 (en) 2020-09-28 2024-02-13 Bulletproof Fitness Equipment Inc Trolley system for engaging with a post of a selected exercise machine
US11583720B2 (en) * 2020-12-21 2023-02-21 Maxime Gedeon-Janvier Self-spotting exercise apparatus
US11529548B2 (en) * 2021-04-20 2022-12-20 Maxwell Woods Combination exercise assembly and method of use
CN114796987B (en) * 2022-04-27 2023-11-10 广东康摩健康科技有限公司 Outdoor body-building is with pushing away ware that has safety protection function
CN116236749B (en) * 2023-02-09 2023-11-07 北京奥康达体育科技有限公司 Strength type horizontal pushing training device

Citations (119)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US34572A (en) * 1862-03-04 Improved elevator
US34577A (en) * 1862-03-04 Odorized kerosene-oil
US931699A (en) * 1909-02-02 1909-08-17 Fred Medart Mfg Company Exercising apparatus.
US1052962A (en) * 1912-06-29 1913-02-11 Internat Gymnasium Supply Company Exercising apparatus.
US1535391A (en) * 1923-07-05 1925-04-28 John R Anderson Exerciser
US1703104A (en) * 1925-06-22 1929-02-26 Hassler Frank Apparatus for correcting muscular defects
US2977120A (en) * 1959-06-30 1961-03-28 Wesley B Morris Exercising device
GB925678A (en) 1959-02-05 1963-05-08 Francois Turnsek Physical culture appliances
US3381958A (en) * 1965-10-08 1968-05-07 Ray Welding Co Ltd Hand and foot exercising device
US3428311A (en) * 1966-04-01 1969-02-18 Thoral J Mitchell Resistance exerciser for wrists,arms,and upper body
US3465592A (en) * 1965-09-14 1969-09-09 James J Perrine Isokinetic exercise process and apparatus
US3558130A (en) * 1968-06-06 1971-01-26 Franklin C Anderson Exercising device using pendulum weight and pulley system
US3587319A (en) * 1969-09-30 1971-06-28 William J Andrews Exercising apparatus
US3640527A (en) * 1969-07-25 1972-02-08 Richard I Proctor Weight resistant chest exercising device
US3707285A (en) * 1970-07-23 1972-12-26 Robert M Martin Horizontal bar exercising device
US3759512A (en) * 1972-05-24 1973-09-18 A Yount Exercise machine
US3804350A (en) * 1973-06-14 1974-04-16 L Williams Cable spooling guide
US3912261A (en) * 1973-07-12 1975-10-14 Sr Lloyd J Lambert Exercise machine
US3912264A (en) * 1972-04-26 1975-10-14 Bremshey Ag Gymnastic apparatus
US4035040A (en) * 1976-07-09 1977-07-12 Towmotor Corporation Self-aligning wheel mounting structure
US4050310A (en) * 1976-03-17 1977-09-27 Keiser Dennis L Exercising apparatus
US4082267A (en) * 1976-05-12 1978-04-04 Flavell Evan R Bilateral isokinetic exerciser
US4111414A (en) * 1976-10-12 1978-09-05 Roberts Edward A Exercising device for assisting a person to perform pullups
SU635999A1 (en) 1976-11-04 1978-12-05 Рижское Высшее Военное Авиационное Инженерное Училище Им. Якова Алксниса Muscule excercising device
US4149714A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-04-17 Lambert Jr Lloyd J Seated weight lifting leg press exercise machine
US4184678A (en) * 1977-06-21 1980-01-22 Isokinetics, Inc. Programmable acceleration exerciser
US4235437A (en) * 1978-07-03 1980-11-25 Book Wayne J Robotic exercise machine and method
US4257592A (en) * 1978-11-29 1981-03-24 Arthur Jones Exercising apparatus with improvements in handle structure, rope arrangement, and clamping means
US4257593A (en) * 1977-12-20 1981-03-24 Keiser Corporation Pneumatic exercising device
US4257590A (en) * 1977-08-26 1981-03-24 Javier R. Ruiz Portable home gymnasium
US4290597A (en) * 1980-03-10 1981-09-22 Schleffendorf John J Physical exercise apparatus
US4305572A (en) * 1979-12-27 1981-12-15 Dresser Industries, Inc. Return assembly for a swivable sheave
US4311305A (en) * 1979-12-04 1982-01-19 Lambert Jr Lloyd J Chest and bust machine
US4314697A (en) * 1980-02-19 1982-02-09 Brumfield Maxine L Physical exercising device
US4357010A (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-11-02 Telle Jerome R Multipurpose exercising machine
US4358105A (en) * 1980-08-21 1982-11-09 Lifecycle, Inc. Programmed exerciser apparatus and method
US4403773A (en) * 1980-03-10 1983-09-13 Swann David T Exercising apparatus
US4411424A (en) * 1982-02-08 1983-10-25 Barnett Robert V Weight lifting exercise apparatus
US4445684A (en) * 1982-07-19 1984-05-01 Ruff Henry C Leg stretching machine
US4465274A (en) * 1982-09-27 1984-08-14 Davenport Dennis L Hydraulic exercise device
US4482152A (en) * 1982-10-13 1984-11-13 Wolff Leslie C Exercise equipment
US4494751A (en) * 1981-10-14 1985-01-22 Josef Schnell Exercise machine
US4505475A (en) * 1983-05-27 1985-03-19 Brad Olschansky Exercise system
US4556216A (en) * 1983-08-15 1985-12-03 Pitkanen Alan R Computer directed exercising apparatus
US4603855A (en) * 1981-01-02 1986-08-05 Sebelle Leslie W Variable exercise apparatus
US4603856A (en) * 1984-10-02 1986-08-05 Fiore Russell D Exercising device
SU1258442A1 (en) 1985-04-02 1986-09-23 Yulin Yurij A Apparatus for training muscles and developing joints
US4621810A (en) * 1985-04-29 1986-11-11 Cummins Joseph B Weight lifting type exercising device
US4624457A (en) * 1981-02-04 1986-11-25 Diversified Products Corporation Portable wall mounted exercise unit
US4629185A (en) * 1985-07-11 1986-12-16 Amann Michael J Universal hydraulic exerciser
US4632392A (en) * 1982-06-24 1986-12-30 Peyton Ronald G Exercise apparatus including tethered mass confines for movement on horizontal track
US4634127A (en) * 1984-06-29 1987-01-06 Diversified Products Corporation Wall mounted exercise unit
USD289783S (en) 1984-06-13 1987-05-12 Pappinen Pantti K Physical exerciser
US4684126A (en) * 1984-08-29 1987-08-04 Pro Form, Inc. General purpose exercise machine
US4691916A (en) * 1985-01-09 1987-09-08 Paramount Fitness Corporation Exercise apparatus with trolley system
US4709918A (en) * 1986-12-29 1987-12-01 Arkady Grinblat Universal exercising apparatus
US4720099A (en) * 1984-11-27 1988-01-19 The Toro Company Exercise machine
US4730829A (en) * 1984-11-27 1988-03-15 The Toro Company Exercise machine
US4730828A (en) * 1987-01-12 1988-03-15 American Sports International, Ltd. Body strength and conditioning frame structure
US4741529A (en) * 1985-01-25 1988-05-03 Bio-Dynamic Innovations, Inc. Exercise apparatus
US4768780A (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-09-06 Hayes Robert G Hand grasp device
US4772015A (en) * 1987-04-23 1988-09-20 The Toro Company Shoulder and arm exercise machine
FR2612406A1 (en) 1987-03-19 1988-09-23 Sport 3 Sarl Muscle-exercising apparatus
US4799671A (en) * 1986-10-08 1989-01-24 Hoggan Health Industries, Inc. Weight lifting exercise apparatus
US4804179A (en) * 1984-11-09 1989-02-14 Murphy Robert J Multi function foldable exercise machine
US4807877A (en) * 1987-01-16 1989-02-28 Buxton Brian F Rotary weight lifting machine
US4828255A (en) * 1987-03-09 1989-05-09 Lahman Thomas E Multi-purpose exercise bench
FR2581550B1 (en) 1985-05-10 1989-06-30 Jaquet Hugues MUSCULATION TOOL
US4844456A (en) * 1987-09-14 1989-07-04 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise apparatus
US4844450A (en) * 1988-01-29 1989-07-04 Rodgers Jr Robert E Swimming simulator
US4846458A (en) * 1987-08-06 1989-07-11 Tri-Tech, Inc. Upper body exercise apparatus
US4854578A (en) * 1988-08-01 1989-08-08 Fulks Kent B Multi-purpose exercise machine
US4867445A (en) * 1986-03-07 1989-09-19 Richard E. Connelly Co., Inc. Resistance-type exercise apparatus
US4872668A (en) * 1987-09-16 1989-10-10 Joseph Patrick Mcgillis Multidirectional exerciser
US4877239A (en) * 1989-01-03 1989-10-31 Gregorio Dela Rosa Thigh muscle stretching device
US4880230A (en) * 1988-06-28 1989-11-14 Gerry Cook Pneumatic exercise device
US4900018A (en) * 1987-09-16 1990-02-13 Ish Iii Arthur B Exercise machine with multiple exercise stations
US4911435A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-03-27 Nautilus Sports Medical Industries, Inc. Exercise machinery convertible for use by wheelchair-seated exercisers
US4949951A (en) * 1989-10-02 1990-08-21 Deola James A Body building exercise device
US4964632A (en) * 1989-09-06 1990-10-23 Diversified Products Corporation Compact multi-function weight-training exerciser
US4974837A (en) * 1988-07-15 1990-12-04 Senoh Kabushiki Kaisha Weight training machine
GB2232089A (en) 1989-05-27 1990-12-05 Liu Chun Chia Multipurpose physical conditioning apparatus
US5011139A (en) * 1990-03-09 1991-04-30 Lumex, Inc. Assisted dip/chin exercise device
US5018725A (en) * 1990-07-25 1991-05-28 Cook Roger D Adjustable exercise equipment
US5026049A (en) * 1990-08-15 1991-06-25 Goodman John F Leg stretching apparatus
US5037090A (en) * 1989-01-19 1991-08-06 Fitzpatrick Patrick C Physical exercising device
US5044631A (en) * 1990-06-20 1991-09-03 Hammer Corporation Decline press exercise machine
US5044632A (en) * 1990-04-26 1991-09-03 Hammer Corporation Dumbbell press exercise machine
US5050872A (en) * 1989-04-21 1991-09-24 Farenholtz Douglas William Exercise and training apparatus
US5050873A (en) * 1990-04-26 1991-09-24 Hammer Corporation Pulldown exercise machine
USD321027S (en) 1989-06-01 1991-10-22 Hammer Corporation Isolateral decline press exercise machine
USD321028S (en) 1989-06-01 1991-10-22 Hammer Corporation Isolateral torso arm exercise machine
USD321025S (en) 1989-06-01 1991-10-22 Hammer Corporation Isolateral dumbbell press exercise machine
US5058888A (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-10-22 Walker Fitness Systems, Inc. Automatic force generating and control system
US5085430A (en) * 1991-02-20 1992-02-04 Pacific Fitness Corporation Multiple station exercise apparatus
US5094449A (en) * 1990-08-07 1992-03-10 Stearns Kenneth W Exercise apparatus for abdominal exercises
USD324710S (en) 1990-01-31 1992-03-17 Pacific Fitness Corporation Physical exerciser
US5116297A (en) * 1991-03-04 1992-05-26 Stonecipher William L Weight-lifting machine
US5120289A (en) * 1991-09-17 1992-06-09 James Yu Convertible gymnastic apparatus for doing push-lift movement or chest building movement
US5135453A (en) * 1989-09-27 1992-08-04 Sollenberger Carl E Exercise apparatus for performing free weight barbell exercise
US5135449A (en) * 1990-09-21 1992-08-04 Hammer Strength Corporation Rowing exercise machine
US5135456A (en) * 1991-04-25 1992-08-04 Hammer Strength Corporaation Low row exercise machine
US5171198A (en) * 1990-11-30 1992-12-15 Hammer Strength Corporation Lateral raise exercise machine
US5181896A (en) * 1991-06-25 1993-01-26 The Hammer Corporation Incline press exercise machine
US5209715A (en) * 1989-11-13 1993-05-11 Walker Fitness Systems, Inc. Automatic force generating and control system
US5250013A (en) * 1992-01-24 1993-10-05 John Brangi Exercise machine
US5263915A (en) * 1989-08-30 1993-11-23 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise method with adjustable position exercise members
US5263914A (en) * 1990-04-04 1993-11-23 Loredan Biomedical, Inc. Weight machine
US5273504A (en) * 1991-09-13 1993-12-28 Hammer Strength Corporation Behind the neck pulldown exercise machine
US5273505A (en) * 1991-10-21 1993-12-28 Hammer Strength Corporation High row exercise machine
US5290214A (en) * 1993-04-30 1994-03-01 Chen Tsung Yu Exerciser
USRE34572E (en) 1987-09-16 1994-03-29 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Exercise machine with multiple exercise stations
US5302161A (en) 1990-03-28 1994-04-12 Noordictrack, Inc. Flexible line guidance and tension measuring device
US5304107A (en) 1992-09-15 1994-04-19 Jones Arthur A Exercise machine
US5314390A (en) 1992-01-31 1994-05-24 Loredan Biomedical, Inc. Linear tracking programmable exerciser
US5330405A (en) 1993-10-25 1994-07-19 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise machine
US5344374A (en) 1992-06-02 1994-09-06 Telle Jerome R Variable resistance exercising apparatus
US5437589A (en) 1993-12-20 1995-08-01 Habing; Theodore J. Upper body exercise machine
US5486150A (en) 1993-04-30 1996-01-23 Randolph; Lucian Exercise system, apparatus and method

Family Cites Families (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US799270A (en) * 1904-11-01 1905-09-12 Eric Roland Exerciser.
US2253996A (en) * 1941-01-21 1941-08-26 Walter B Bechman Exercising device
US2356260A (en) * 1941-09-02 1944-08-22 William H Maxwell Exercising device
US2921791A (en) * 1957-05-17 1960-01-19 William E Berne Exercising apparatus
FR1257091A (en) 1960-02-15 1961-03-31 Mechanotherapy device for functional recovery of the upper limbs
US3803350A (en) * 1969-03-17 1974-04-09 J Lemelson Record card scanning apparatus
US3759511A (en) * 1971-03-29 1973-09-18 K Gustafson Adjustable friction type exercising device
US3858873A (en) * 1971-08-17 1975-01-07 Arthur A Jones Weight lifting exercising devices
US3734495A (en) * 1971-10-26 1973-05-22 Whittaker Corp A seat and leg operated load lifting device
US3998454A (en) * 1973-05-15 1976-12-21 Jones Arthur A Force receiving exercising member
US4169589A (en) * 1977-09-28 1979-10-02 Mcarthur James A Leg exercising apparatus
US4200279A (en) * 1978-04-05 1980-04-29 Lambert Lloyd J Jr Leg extension, leg curl, hip, thigh, back and buttocks machine
US4227689A (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-10-14 Kintron, Incorporated Exercising device including linkage for control of muscular exertion required through exercising stroke
SE417476B (en) * 1978-07-25 1981-03-23 Storvreta Sport Ab MUSCULAR Saturation Bench Device
SE435451B (en) * 1980-08-08 1984-10-01 Olle Blomqvist DEVELOPMENT QUADRICE TRAINING DEVICE
US4298893A (en) * 1980-08-29 1981-11-03 Holmes James H T.V. Energized by exercise cycle
US4341380A (en) * 1980-10-29 1982-07-27 Sauder Walter J Body cell therapeutic device
US4470597A (en) * 1982-04-20 1984-09-11 Mcfee Richard Exerciser with flywheel
US4462252A (en) * 1982-09-23 1984-07-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Health And Human Services Trunk dynamometer
US4511137A (en) * 1983-01-20 1985-04-16 Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc. Compound weight lifting exercising machine
US4500089A (en) * 1983-01-20 1985-02-19 Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc. Weight lifting lower back exercising machine
US4555108A (en) * 1984-03-12 1985-11-26 Monteiro Frank G Exercising and physical-conditioning apparatus
US4645197A (en) * 1984-09-26 1987-02-24 Mcfee Richard Bounce board exerciser
US5078152A (en) * 1985-06-23 1992-01-07 Loredan Biomedical, Inc. Method for diagnosis and/or training of proprioceptor feedback capabilities in a muscle and joint system of a human patient
US4834365A (en) * 1987-06-11 1989-05-30 Jones Arthur A Compound weight system
US5273508A (en) * 1987-06-11 1993-12-28 Jones Arthur A Method and apparatus for exercising muscles of the upper legs and lower torso
US4836536A (en) * 1987-06-11 1989-06-06 Arthur Jones Apparatus for exercising muscles of the lower trunk of the human body
US5171200A (en) * 1987-06-11 1992-12-15 Jones Arthur A Method and apparatus for exercising the lumbar muscles
US4915378A (en) * 1987-08-26 1990-04-10 Alexander Abrahamian Exercising apparatus
US4842271A (en) * 1988-05-24 1989-06-27 Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc. Leg extension exercise machine with leg length and exercise motion range adjustment apparatus
US5244441A (en) * 1990-01-31 1993-09-14 Loredan Biomedical, Inc. Position-based motion controller
US5254067A (en) * 1990-06-21 1993-10-19 Pacific Fitness Corporation Recumbent leg exerciser
US5106080A (en) * 1990-08-16 1992-04-21 Hammer Corporation Leg press exercise machine
US5066004A (en) * 1990-08-27 1991-11-19 Hammer Corporation Leg extension exercise machine
US5066003A (en) * 1990-09-12 1991-11-19 Hammer Corporation Leg curl exercise machine
US5000446A (en) * 1990-09-26 1991-03-19 Sarno Timothy N Color-coded weight stack pin system for exercise machines
US5180354A (en) * 1990-11-26 1993-01-19 Hammer Corporation Rotary cuff exercise machine
US5108095A (en) * 1990-12-07 1992-04-28 Southern Xercise, Inc. Squat exercise apparatus
US5106081A (en) * 1991-01-28 1992-04-21 Nautilus Acquisition Corporation Leg exercise machine
JPH0796039B2 (en) 1991-05-22 1995-10-18 英夫 高岡 Training equipment structure
US5366432A (en) * 1992-06-18 1994-11-22 Pacific Fitness Corporation Leg press
WO1994002213A1 (en) * 1992-07-15 1994-02-03 Indian Industries, Inc. Exercising apparatus

Patent Citations (122)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US34577A (en) * 1862-03-04 Odorized kerosene-oil
US34572A (en) * 1862-03-04 Improved elevator
US931699A (en) * 1909-02-02 1909-08-17 Fred Medart Mfg Company Exercising apparatus.
US1052962A (en) * 1912-06-29 1913-02-11 Internat Gymnasium Supply Company Exercising apparatus.
US1535391A (en) * 1923-07-05 1925-04-28 John R Anderson Exerciser
US1703104A (en) * 1925-06-22 1929-02-26 Hassler Frank Apparatus for correcting muscular defects
GB925678A (en) 1959-02-05 1963-05-08 Francois Turnsek Physical culture appliances
US2977120A (en) * 1959-06-30 1961-03-28 Wesley B Morris Exercising device
US3465592A (en) * 1965-09-14 1969-09-09 James J Perrine Isokinetic exercise process and apparatus
US3381958A (en) * 1965-10-08 1968-05-07 Ray Welding Co Ltd Hand and foot exercising device
US3428311A (en) * 1966-04-01 1969-02-18 Thoral J Mitchell Resistance exerciser for wrists,arms,and upper body
US3558130A (en) * 1968-06-06 1971-01-26 Franklin C Anderson Exercising device using pendulum weight and pulley system
US3640527A (en) * 1969-07-25 1972-02-08 Richard I Proctor Weight resistant chest exercising device
US3587319A (en) * 1969-09-30 1971-06-28 William J Andrews Exercising apparatus
US3707285A (en) * 1970-07-23 1972-12-26 Robert M Martin Horizontal bar exercising device
US3912264A (en) * 1972-04-26 1975-10-14 Bremshey Ag Gymnastic apparatus
US3759512A (en) * 1972-05-24 1973-09-18 A Yount Exercise machine
US3804350A (en) * 1973-06-14 1974-04-16 L Williams Cable spooling guide
US3912261A (en) * 1973-07-12 1975-10-14 Sr Lloyd J Lambert Exercise machine
US4050310A (en) * 1976-03-17 1977-09-27 Keiser Dennis L Exercising apparatus
US4082267B1 (en) * 1976-05-12 1993-04-27 R Flavell Evan
US4082267A (en) * 1976-05-12 1978-04-04 Flavell Evan R Bilateral isokinetic exerciser
US4035040A (en) * 1976-07-09 1977-07-12 Towmotor Corporation Self-aligning wheel mounting structure
US4111414A (en) * 1976-10-12 1978-09-05 Roberts Edward A Exercising device for assisting a person to perform pullups
SU635999A1 (en) 1976-11-04 1978-12-05 Рижское Высшее Военное Авиационное Инженерное Училище Им. Якова Алксниса Muscule excercising device
US4184678A (en) * 1977-06-21 1980-01-22 Isokinetics, Inc. Programmable acceleration exerciser
US4149714A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-04-17 Lambert Jr Lloyd J Seated weight lifting leg press exercise machine
US4257590A (en) * 1977-08-26 1981-03-24 Javier R. Ruiz Portable home gymnasium
US4257593A (en) * 1977-12-20 1981-03-24 Keiser Corporation Pneumatic exercising device
US4235437A (en) * 1978-07-03 1980-11-25 Book Wayne J Robotic exercise machine and method
US4257592A (en) * 1978-11-29 1981-03-24 Arthur Jones Exercising apparatus with improvements in handle structure, rope arrangement, and clamping means
US4311305A (en) * 1979-12-04 1982-01-19 Lambert Jr Lloyd J Chest and bust machine
US4305572A (en) * 1979-12-27 1981-12-15 Dresser Industries, Inc. Return assembly for a swivable sheave
US4314697A (en) * 1980-02-19 1982-02-09 Brumfield Maxine L Physical exercising device
US4403773A (en) * 1980-03-10 1983-09-13 Swann David T Exercising apparatus
US4290597A (en) * 1980-03-10 1981-09-22 Schleffendorf John J Physical exercise apparatus
US4358105A (en) * 1980-08-21 1982-11-09 Lifecycle, Inc. Programmed exerciser apparatus and method
US4357010A (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-11-02 Telle Jerome R Multipurpose exercising machine
US4603855A (en) * 1981-01-02 1986-08-05 Sebelle Leslie W Variable exercise apparatus
US4624457A (en) * 1981-02-04 1986-11-25 Diversified Products Corporation Portable wall mounted exercise unit
US4494751A (en) * 1981-10-14 1985-01-22 Josef Schnell Exercise machine
US4411424A (en) * 1982-02-08 1983-10-25 Barnett Robert V Weight lifting exercise apparatus
US4632392A (en) * 1982-06-24 1986-12-30 Peyton Ronald G Exercise apparatus including tethered mass confines for movement on horizontal track
US4445684A (en) * 1982-07-19 1984-05-01 Ruff Henry C Leg stretching machine
US4465274A (en) * 1982-09-27 1984-08-14 Davenport Dennis L Hydraulic exercise device
US4482152A (en) * 1982-10-13 1984-11-13 Wolff Leslie C Exercise equipment
US4505475A (en) * 1983-05-27 1985-03-19 Brad Olschansky Exercise system
US4556216A (en) * 1983-08-15 1985-12-03 Pitkanen Alan R Computer directed exercising apparatus
USD289783S (en) 1984-06-13 1987-05-12 Pappinen Pantti K Physical exerciser
US4634127A (en) * 1984-06-29 1987-01-06 Diversified Products Corporation Wall mounted exercise unit
US4684126A (en) * 1984-08-29 1987-08-04 Pro Form, Inc. General purpose exercise machine
US4603856A (en) * 1984-10-02 1986-08-05 Fiore Russell D Exercising device
US4804179A (en) * 1984-11-09 1989-02-14 Murphy Robert J Multi function foldable exercise machine
US4730829A (en) * 1984-11-27 1988-03-15 The Toro Company Exercise machine
US4720099A (en) * 1984-11-27 1988-01-19 The Toro Company Exercise machine
US4691916A (en) * 1985-01-09 1987-09-08 Paramount Fitness Corporation Exercise apparatus with trolley system
US4741529A (en) * 1985-01-25 1988-05-03 Bio-Dynamic Innovations, Inc. Exercise apparatus
SU1258442A1 (en) 1985-04-02 1986-09-23 Yulin Yurij A Apparatus for training muscles and developing joints
US4621810A (en) * 1985-04-29 1986-11-11 Cummins Joseph B Weight lifting type exercising device
FR2581550B1 (en) 1985-05-10 1989-06-30 Jaquet Hugues MUSCULATION TOOL
US4629185A (en) * 1985-07-11 1986-12-16 Amann Michael J Universal hydraulic exerciser
US4867445A (en) * 1986-03-07 1989-09-19 Richard E. Connelly Co., Inc. Resistance-type exercise apparatus
US4799671A (en) * 1986-10-08 1989-01-24 Hoggan Health Industries, Inc. Weight lifting exercise apparatus
US4768780A (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-09-06 Hayes Robert G Hand grasp device
US4709918A (en) * 1986-12-29 1987-12-01 Arkady Grinblat Universal exercising apparatus
US4730828A (en) * 1987-01-12 1988-03-15 American Sports International, Ltd. Body strength and conditioning frame structure
US4807877A (en) * 1987-01-16 1989-02-28 Buxton Brian F Rotary weight lifting machine
US4828255A (en) * 1987-03-09 1989-05-09 Lahman Thomas E Multi-purpose exercise bench
FR2612406A1 (en) 1987-03-19 1988-09-23 Sport 3 Sarl Muscle-exercising apparatus
US4772015A (en) * 1987-04-23 1988-09-20 The Toro Company Shoulder and arm exercise machine
US4846458A (en) * 1987-08-06 1989-07-11 Tri-Tech, Inc. Upper body exercise apparatus
USRE34577E (en) 1987-09-14 1994-04-05 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise apparatus
US4844456A (en) * 1987-09-14 1989-07-04 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise apparatus
US4900018A (en) * 1987-09-16 1990-02-13 Ish Iii Arthur B Exercise machine with multiple exercise stations
USRE34572E (en) 1987-09-16 1994-03-29 Vectra Fitness, Inc. Exercise machine with multiple exercise stations
US4872668A (en) * 1987-09-16 1989-10-10 Joseph Patrick Mcgillis Multidirectional exerciser
US4844450A (en) * 1988-01-29 1989-07-04 Rodgers Jr Robert E Swimming simulator
US4911435A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-03-27 Nautilus Sports Medical Industries, Inc. Exercise machinery convertible for use by wheelchair-seated exercisers
US4880230A (en) * 1988-06-28 1989-11-14 Gerry Cook Pneumatic exercise device
US4974837A (en) * 1988-07-15 1990-12-04 Senoh Kabushiki Kaisha Weight training machine
US4854578A (en) * 1988-08-01 1989-08-08 Fulks Kent B Multi-purpose exercise machine
US4877239A (en) * 1989-01-03 1989-10-31 Gregorio Dela Rosa Thigh muscle stretching device
US5037090A (en) * 1989-01-19 1991-08-06 Fitzpatrick Patrick C Physical exercising device
US5050872A (en) * 1989-04-21 1991-09-24 Farenholtz Douglas William Exercise and training apparatus
GB2232089A (en) 1989-05-27 1990-12-05 Liu Chun Chia Multipurpose physical conditioning apparatus
USD321027S (en) 1989-06-01 1991-10-22 Hammer Corporation Isolateral decline press exercise machine
USD321025S (en) 1989-06-01 1991-10-22 Hammer Corporation Isolateral dumbbell press exercise machine
USD321028S (en) 1989-06-01 1991-10-22 Hammer Corporation Isolateral torso arm exercise machine
US5263915A (en) * 1989-08-30 1993-11-23 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise method with adjustable position exercise members
US4964632A (en) * 1989-09-06 1990-10-23 Diversified Products Corporation Compact multi-function weight-training exerciser
US5135453A (en) * 1989-09-27 1992-08-04 Sollenberger Carl E Exercise apparatus for performing free weight barbell exercise
US4949951A (en) * 1989-10-02 1990-08-21 Deola James A Body building exercise device
US5209715A (en) * 1989-11-13 1993-05-11 Walker Fitness Systems, Inc. Automatic force generating and control system
US5058888A (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-10-22 Walker Fitness Systems, Inc. Automatic force generating and control system
USD324710S (en) 1990-01-31 1992-03-17 Pacific Fitness Corporation Physical exerciser
US5011139A (en) * 1990-03-09 1991-04-30 Lumex, Inc. Assisted dip/chin exercise device
US5302161A (en) 1990-03-28 1994-04-12 Noordictrack, Inc. Flexible line guidance and tension measuring device
US5263914A (en) * 1990-04-04 1993-11-23 Loredan Biomedical, Inc. Weight machine
US5044632A (en) * 1990-04-26 1991-09-03 Hammer Corporation Dumbbell press exercise machine
US5050873A (en) * 1990-04-26 1991-09-24 Hammer Corporation Pulldown exercise machine
US5044631A (en) * 1990-06-20 1991-09-03 Hammer Corporation Decline press exercise machine
US5018725A (en) * 1990-07-25 1991-05-28 Cook Roger D Adjustable exercise equipment
US5094449A (en) * 1990-08-07 1992-03-10 Stearns Kenneth W Exercise apparatus for abdominal exercises
US5026049A (en) * 1990-08-15 1991-06-25 Goodman John F Leg stretching apparatus
US5135449A (en) * 1990-09-21 1992-08-04 Hammer Strength Corporation Rowing exercise machine
US5171198A (en) * 1990-11-30 1992-12-15 Hammer Strength Corporation Lateral raise exercise machine
US5085430A (en) * 1991-02-20 1992-02-04 Pacific Fitness Corporation Multiple station exercise apparatus
US5116297A (en) * 1991-03-04 1992-05-26 Stonecipher William L Weight-lifting machine
US5135456A (en) * 1991-04-25 1992-08-04 Hammer Strength Corporaation Low row exercise machine
US5181896A (en) * 1991-06-25 1993-01-26 The Hammer Corporation Incline press exercise machine
US5273504A (en) * 1991-09-13 1993-12-28 Hammer Strength Corporation Behind the neck pulldown exercise machine
US5120289A (en) * 1991-09-17 1992-06-09 James Yu Convertible gymnastic apparatus for doing push-lift movement or chest building movement
US5273505A (en) * 1991-10-21 1993-12-28 Hammer Strength Corporation High row exercise machine
US5250013A (en) * 1992-01-24 1993-10-05 John Brangi Exercise machine
US5314390A (en) 1992-01-31 1994-05-24 Loredan Biomedical, Inc. Linear tracking programmable exerciser
US5344374A (en) 1992-06-02 1994-09-06 Telle Jerome R Variable resistance exercising apparatus
US5304107A (en) 1992-09-15 1994-04-19 Jones Arthur A Exercise machine
US5290214A (en) * 1993-04-30 1994-03-01 Chen Tsung Yu Exerciser
US5486150A (en) 1993-04-30 1996-01-23 Randolph; Lucian Exercise system, apparatus and method
US5330405A (en) 1993-10-25 1994-07-19 Pacific Fitness Corporation Exercise machine
US5330405B1 (en) 1993-10-25 1998-11-03 Pacific Fitness Corp Exercise machine
US5437589A (en) 1993-12-20 1995-08-01 Habing; Theodore J. Upper body exercise machine

Non-Patent Citations (50)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Athletic Journal, vol. 59, No. 2, Oct. 1978, Advertisements. *
Atlantic Fitness Products, "Specalists in Physical Fitness and Health Equipment", Brochure, 1985.
Atlantic Fitness Products, Specalists in Physical Fitness and Health Equipment , Brochure, 1985. *
Bodymasters, "Expect the Best", Brochure.
Bodymasters, Expect the Best , Brochure. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Extremity Systems, The Cybex 6000 Extremity System", Brochure, 1991.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Strength Systems Owner's Manual", pp. 5, 6, 7, Brochure.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Strength Systems", Brochure, 1993.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Strength Systems", Brochure, pp. II-3, II-5, VII-27, 1993.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Strength Systems, A Body of Work" (VR), Brochure, 1989/1990.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Strength Systems, Service and Parts Manual," pp. 16-19, 1992.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Cybex Testing and Rehabilitation Systems", Brochure, 1993.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Eagle Fitness Systems by Cybex," Brochure, pp. 10-12.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Eagle Performance Systems, The New Standard of Excellence," Brochure, pp. 2, 3.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., "Medical Strength Systems", Brochure, pp. 5, 17, 1993.
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Extremity Systems, The Cybex 6000 Extremity System , Brochure, 1991. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Strength Systems , Brochure, 1993. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Strength Systems , Brochure, pp. II 3, II 5, VII 27, 1993. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Strength Systems Owner s Manual , pp. 5, 6, 7, Brochure. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Strength Systems, A Body of Work (VR), Brochure, 1989/1990. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Strength Systems, Service and Parts Manual, pp. 16 19, 1992. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Cybex Testing and Rehabilitation Systems , Brochure, 1993. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Eagle Fitness Systems by Cybex, Brochure, pp. 10 12. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Eagle Performance Systems, The New Standard of Excellence, Brochure, pp. 2, 3. *
Cybex Div. of Lumex, Inc., Medical Strength Systems , Brochure, pp. 5, 17, 1993. *
Hammer Strength, Hammer Strength Picture Price List, Oct. 1994. *
Hoist Fitness Systems, "Forged in Steel", Brochure.
Hoist Fitness Systems, Forged in Steel , Brochure. *
Loredan Biomedical, Inc., "Lido Loredan, A New Vision of Strength Training", Brochure, pp. 4-5, 17, 1990.
Loredan Biomedical, Inc., Lido Loredan, A New Vision of Strength Training , Brochure, pp. 4 5, 17, 1990. *
Muscle Dynamics, "Maxicam by Muscle Dynamics", Product Listing, Brochure.
Muscle Dynamics, Maxicam by Muscle Dynamics , Product Listing, Brochure. *
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc. "Nautilus Powerplus", Brochure.
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc. Nautilus Powerplus , Brochure. *
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., "Leverage Machines by Nautilus Instruction Manual", Brochure, pp. 12, 14, 15.
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., "Machine Operating Manual: Instructions for Use, Maintenance Tips, Warranties, Parts", Brochure, pp. 13-16, 27-28.
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., "Nautilus Instruction Manual", Brochure, pp. 27-33, 1980.
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., "Nautilus Midwest New Products", Brochure.
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., Leverage Machines by Nautilus Instruction Manual , Brochure, pp. 12, 14, 15. *
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., Machine Operating Manual: Instructions for Use, Maintenance Tips, Warranties, Parts , Brochure, pp. 13 16, 27 28. *
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., Nautilus Instruction Manual , Brochure, pp. 27 33, 1980. *
Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc., Nautilus Midwest New Products , Brochure. *
Paramount, "Single Station Circuit Fitness Line," Brochure.
Paramount, Single Station Circuit Fitness Line, Brochure. *
Peterson, Dr. James A. "Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc.: Total Conditioning --A Case Study", Brochure, p. 3, Reprinted from Athletic Journal.
Peterson, Dr. James A. Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc.: Total Conditioning A Case Study , Brochure, p. 3, Reprinted from Athletic Journal. *
Pro Gym Systems, Kinesi Arc by Pro Gym Systems Plate Loading Line , Brochure. *
Pro-Gym Systems, "Kinesi-Arc by Pro-Gym Systems Plate Loading Line", Brochure.
Universal Gym Equipment, Inc., "Universal Conditioning Machines and Free Weights", Brochure.
Universal Gym Equipment, Inc., Universal Conditioning Machines and Free Weights , Brochure. *

Cited By (60)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5810701A (en) * 1997-06-17 1998-09-22 Northland Industries, Inc. Motion translation arrangement for exercise machine
US7922635B2 (en) 2000-03-10 2011-04-12 Nautilus, Inc. Adjustable-load unitary multi-position bench exercise unit
US6913565B2 (en) * 2001-06-20 2005-07-05 Nautilus Human Performance Systems, Inc. Biceps curl machine
US20030092543A1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-05-15 Cybex International, Inc. Upper torso exercise machine
US20030158019A1 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-08-21 Raymond Giannelli Upper torso exercise machine
US7666123B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2010-02-23 Cybex International, Inc. Upper torso exercise machine
KR20030047135A (en) * 2001-12-04 2003-06-18 최윤석 3-D strength exercise equipment
KR100485211B1 (en) * 2001-12-12 2005-04-25 최윤석 3 Dimensional sporting equipment for anaerobic exercise
US20030144116A1 (en) * 2002-01-30 2003-07-31 Kenneth Carter Exercise machine for exercising upper body portions
US6860840B2 (en) * 2002-01-30 2005-03-01 Tuff Stuff Fitness Equipment, Inc. Exercise machine for exercising upper body portions
US7070546B1 (en) 2002-07-05 2006-07-04 Joseph Grasso Exercise apparatus including multiple function aspects and small footprint
US7070543B1 (en) 2002-09-03 2006-07-04 Randy Rindfleisch Exercise machine with leverage arm
US7070544B1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2006-07-04 Randy Rindfleisch Isolation exercise machine with leverage arm
US20060205572A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2006-09-14 Randy Rindfleisch Isolation exercise machine with leverage arm
US7387596B2 (en) * 2003-02-14 2008-06-17 Intellex, Inc. Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US20040162198A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-19 Towley Carl K. Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US20040162194A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-19 Habing Douglas J. Exercise machine with adjustable range of motion
US7811211B2 (en) 2003-02-14 2010-10-12 Habing Douglas J Single apparatus converging/diverging exercise machine
US20090163335A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2009-06-25 Towley Iii Carl K Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US20040162195A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-19 Habing Douglas J. Single apparatus converging/diverging exercise machine
US20110092343A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2011-04-21 Habing Douglas J Single Apparatus Converging/Diverging Exercise Machine
US7722511B2 (en) * 2003-02-14 2010-05-25 Powerblock Holdings, Inc. Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US7153244B2 (en) 2003-02-14 2006-12-26 Intellex, Inc. Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US8157711B2 (en) * 2003-02-14 2012-04-17 Power Block Holdings, Inc. Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
US20070117692A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2007-05-24 Towley Carl K Iii Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights
GB2402889B (en) * 2003-06-18 2006-11-15 Precor Inc Press station with adjustable, various path feature
GB2402889A (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-12-22 Precor Inc Press station with adjustable, various path features
US7090623B2 (en) 2003-06-18 2006-08-15 Precor Incorporated Press station with adjustable, various path feature
US20040259700A1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-12-23 Precor Incorporated Press station with adjustable, various path feature
US7182319B2 (en) * 2003-06-19 2007-02-27 Cook Technologies, Inc. Roller assembly for a lifting device for a personal-transportation vehicle
US20050035338A1 (en) * 2003-06-19 2005-02-17 Panzarella Thomas A. Roller assembly for a lifting device for a personal-transportation vehicle
US20050277520A1 (en) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-15 Richard Van Waes Adjustable hand grip for exercise machine
US20060128535A1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-06-15 Nautilus, Inc. Arm assembly for exercise devices
US7775945B2 (en) 2004-12-13 2010-08-17 Nautilus, Inc. Arm assembly for exercise devices
US20090017998A1 (en) * 2005-06-11 2009-01-15 David Duncan Exercise apparatus
US20080096735A1 (en) * 2006-07-24 2008-04-24 Tuffstuff Fitness Equipment Inc. Mechanism for adjustable arms and seat pad apparatus and method
US7448988B2 (en) 2006-09-08 2008-11-11 Taylor Clifton T Exercise apparatus
US20080096734A1 (en) * 2006-09-08 2008-04-24 Taylor Clifton T Exercise Apparatus
US20080227606A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-09-18 Mario Fedriga Gymnastic machine
US20080277558A1 (en) * 2007-05-07 2008-11-13 Litwin Christopher J Adjustable Support Device
US20100009818A1 (en) * 2008-07-09 2010-01-14 Tom Simonson Multi Axes Exercise Apparatus
US7938761B2 (en) * 2008-07-09 2011-05-10 Tom Simonson Multi axes exercise apparatus
US20100187054A1 (en) * 2009-01-26 2010-07-29 Joong Chenn Industry Co., Ltd. Damping assembly for exercise apparatus
USD613350S1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2010-04-06 Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd. Exercise apparatus
USRE44992E1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2014-07-08 Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd. Exercise apparatus
US10265599B2 (en) 2012-02-21 2019-04-23 Gordon M. Heideman Adjustable exercise apparatus
US20130217546A1 (en) * 2012-02-21 2013-08-22 Gordon M. Heideman Adjustable exercise apparatus
US9248329B2 (en) * 2012-02-21 2016-02-02 Gordon M. Heideman Adjustable exercise apparatus
US9908026B2 (en) 2012-02-21 2018-03-06 Gordon M. Heideman Adjustable exercise apparatus
US10894196B2 (en) 2012-02-21 2021-01-19 Gordon M. Heideman Adjustable exercise apparatus
US9636540B2 (en) 2015-03-10 2017-05-02 True Fitness Technology, Inc. Adjustable stride elliptical motion exercise machine with large stride variability and fast adjustment
US10212994B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-02-26 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Smart watch band
US10493349B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2019-12-03 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Display on exercise device
US10625137B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2020-04-21 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Coordinated displays in an exercise device
US10625114B2 (en) 2016-11-01 2020-04-21 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Elliptical and stationary bicycle apparatus including row functionality
US20180272178A1 (en) * 2017-03-27 2018-09-27 Core Health & Fitness, Llc Apparatus, System, and Method for Exercise Equipment with Carry Arms
US11007401B2 (en) * 2017-03-27 2021-05-18 Core Health & Fitness, Llc Apparatus, system, and method for exercise equipment with carry arms
US10814165B2 (en) 2017-11-06 2020-10-27 Angus Lochhead Shoulder exercise machine
US11285360B2 (en) 2017-11-06 2022-03-29 Angus Lochhead Shoulder exercise machine
US11229822B1 (en) * 2018-11-06 2022-01-25 Fusion Fitness Designs, LLC Fitness machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5620402A (en) 1997-04-15
US5643152A (en) 1997-07-01
AU5415696A (en) 1996-09-18
WO1996026767A1 (en) 1996-09-06
US5597375A (en) 1997-01-28
US5616107A (en) 1997-04-01
EP0812227A1 (en) 1997-12-17
US5788614A (en) 1998-08-04
US5580341A (en) 1996-12-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5667464A (en) Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise
WO1996026767A9 (en) Rear deltoid and rowing exercise machine and method of exercising
US7485079B2 (en) Abdominal exercise machine
US7585263B2 (en) Abdominal exercise machine
EP2111268B1 (en) Abdominal exercise device
US6394937B1 (en) Handle and exercise arm assembly for use with an exercise machine
US4974838A (en) Exercise apparatus for performing free weight barbell exercises
US7611445B2 (en) Abdominal exercise machine
US7594880B2 (en) Self-aligning pivoting seat exercise machine
US5413546A (en) Bicep exercise device
US7666123B2 (en) Upper torso exercise machine
US5632710A (en) Exercise apparatus
US5707323A (en) Method and apparatus for exercising the rear deltoid muscle
US20030092543A1 (en) Upper torso exercise machine
US8944969B2 (en) Rowing machine
EP0814878A1 (en) Plate-loaded chest press exercise machine and method of exercise
WO1996026765A9 (en) Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise
WO1996026765A1 (en) Plate-loaded shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercise
WO1996026766A1 (en) Lat pulldown exercise machine and method of exercise
WO1996026766A9 (en) Lat pulldown exercise machine and method of exercise
WO1996026768A1 (en) Shoulder press exercise machine and method of exercising
US20140141941A1 (en) Rowing machine
WO1996026769A1 (en) Chest press exercise machine and method of exercising
EP0862931A2 (en) Rear deltoid exercise machine and method of exercise
US10434360B1 (en) Multi-joint exercise machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: LUMEX, INC. (NEW YORK), NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SIMONSON, ROY;REEL/FRAME:007491/0362

Effective date: 19950424

AS Assignment

Owner name: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., NEW YORK

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LUMEX, INC.;REEL/FRAME:007991/0216

Effective date: 19960807

AS Assignment

Owner name: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE;ASSIGNOR:CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:008639/0388

Effective date: 19970616

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: HILCO CAPITAL LLP, ILLINOIS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013879/0826

Effective date: 20030716

AS Assignment

Owner name: CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., THE, NORTH CAROLI

Free format text: NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013913/0712

Effective date: 20030716

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HILCO CAPITAL, LP;REEL/FRAME:016309/0328

Effective date: 20040713

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20090916

AS Assignment

Owner name: CYBEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.;REEL/FRAME:026046/0651

Effective date: 20110328